Re-Kindled Flame!!

It has been a year full of many adventures! With Six children there is rarely a minute to pause and think. I have realized that we have tried a few different things to grow spiritually, however when we where memorizing scriptures we were more spiritually focused. I want to start over. My goal is to review the scriptures we learned and move forward. I read an article about memorizing scriptures which helped rekindle this flame. I have pasted it below in hopes to keep the flame glowing!

 This weeks scripture: Alma 37:35 O, remember, my son, and learn wisdom in thy youth; yea, learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God.

Why Memorize Scriptures?

JARED R. MOONSeminaries and Institutes

On my mission, a memorized scripture made a big difference during a lesson.

Memorizing had never come easy for me, but when my mission president challenged all of us to memorize Alma’s testimony in Alma 5:45–46, I exercised a little faith and began to commit Alma’s words to memory. It took a couple of weeks and some effort in my morning study, but I did it.

A few days later my companion and I were teaching a group of college students, who began to ask us some pointed questions. One young man looked at me and asked, “Do you really believe all this?” Alma’s testimony flashed into my mind, and I began sharing my testimony, using many of his words: “I do know that these things whereof [we] have spoken are true. And how do [you] suppose that I know of their surety? … They are made known unto me by the Holy Spirit of God. … I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit; and this is the spirit of revelation which is in me.”

Alma’s words had become my words too. The Spirit softly confirmed them in my heart as I spoke them. The words also had an immediate effect on the people we were teaching. Their hearts softened. In that moment I experienced the blessings of memorizing a scripture passage. Alma’s words have continued to be a friend and comfort to me when I need them.
Three Reasons to Memorize

Here are three reasons to study and memorize scriptures as part of your learning:
Memorizing scripture passages can help you understand them better. Elder Gene R. Cook of the Seventy said: “I have discovered that many times you don’t fully understand a scripture until you memorize it. And sometimes I have memorized a passage because it seemed important and valuable to me—then afterwards I discovered deeper meanings that I hadn’t even known were there” (Searching the Scriptures: Bringing Power to Your Personal and Family Study [1997], 114).

Memorized passages can provide you with help, inspiration, comfort, and motivation. Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has explained: “Great power can come from memorizing scriptures. 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” (“The Power of Scripture,” Ensign, Nov. 2011, 6).
Memorized scriptures can add power to the words you use to teach others. Elder Scott has said, “When scriptures are used as the Lord has caused them to be recorded, they have intrinsic power that is not communicated when paraphrased” (“He Lives,” Ensign, Nov. 1999, 88). “The scriptures provide the strength of authority to our declarations when they are cited correctly” (“The Power of Scripture,” 6).
Help with Memorization

Find online activities to help you memorize seminary scripture mastery verses at sm.lds.org.
Share Your Experience

What scriptures have you memorized that have helped you defend your beliefs?

Share your experience with other youth by commenting below.

This article originally appeared in the September 2014 New Era.

Official Web site of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

© 2015 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Family Memorization: Week Two

Luke 1:37

"For with God nothing shall be impossible!"

My New Years Resolution this year is to draw closer to the Lord through daily personal prayer. I have tried to communicate with our Heavenly Father daily by pouring out my heart and mind. Through those prayers I have learned that nothing is impossible with the Lord. This last week we have had little miracles happen within our family. One being with Jackson's hand. Jackson received 2nd degree burns on his left hand on Christmas day. On both our first and second visits to the U of U burn clinic they informed us that skin graph surgery is a strong possibility, considering the  depth of his burns. The doctor informed us at the third visit that as he was reviewing Jackson's chart he was convinced he would need surgery.  He was amazed when he saw Jackson's hand and the healing that had taken place. I know that the Lord heard and answered many prayers that Jackson's hand would heal. This was a miracle for our family. 

The second miracle that happened this week was regarding my employment. We knew that I would need to work in order to meet our families financial needs. We were trying to find employment that would allow me to be home in the evenings in order to help children with homework and make dinner. We also didn't want to put the boys in a daycare where they wouldn't be well cared for. I searched the internet for jobs were I could take the boys to work with me and know that they were well cared for and were I could be with them and still be home in the afternoons. After much searching and calling  daycare center's the search seemed impossible. I felt very overwhelmed and disappointed. I knelt down in prayer and told the Lord that If he would just tell me where to apply I would do it. I realized that the Lord has given me free agency and that HE would never tell me what to do. I also realized that if I got back to work the Lord would guide my steps and prompt me to where HE could use me.

 I started calling again and one center stood out in my mind. When Kelly got home from work I asked him if I could run and apply fpr two different jobs at two different centers. I had an offer at a center from the day before and I simply didn't have a good feeling. I wanted to check out a few other options and see what feelings I got. Once I  got it the car I knew where I wanted to go first, the center I had a good feeling about on the phone. Once I got there  I sat in the car for a few minutes and took notice of how I was feeling. I prayed that I would know the Lord's will and be able to do it. When I got out of the car the first thing I noticed was the Oquirrh Mountain Temple in direct sight from the parking lot. This made me smile as I thought, what a great view I would have every day.

 Once I asked for the application, they asked if I could fill it out there. I relpied I could and sat down in the front office and got to work. As I filled out the application I was prompted to listen to the interactions of the staff and parents that came and went. The first interaction was a mother thanking the staff for making the environment so much fun. She said how thankful she was to have her son be excited to come to the center everyday. What a great thing to hear, I was comforted that this is somewhere my boys would enjoy being. I continued listening and was impressed with the way the director conducted herself with the parents and the children. When was finished she asked if I would be willing to have an interview. After a few minutes I felt very confident that this would be a good fit or me and my boys. The Director also felt confident that this would be a good fit for them and told me that she wanted to talk with her partner regarding hiring me. She said that she would call me that night and we could discuss the terms of my employment. That night she called with an offer that we negotiated. I was hired on terms better then I ever though possible. The waived Hudson's tuition and gave us more then half off Jackson's. The hourly wage was negotiated with the intent of a possible raise after a 30 day trial. 

Earlier that day I thought finding the right employment would be impossible. I was discouraged and frustrated. I did not see how it would ever work out but with Lord nothing is impossible!

The last miracle in our family this week is still in the works. When we first had Hudson placed with our family we were told that he would be going home to his birth mother. We fell in love with him quickly and waned him to stay with us forever, again, another impossible dream. Here we are a year and a half later and we are one step closer to having that impossible dream come true. This last Thursday was the deadline for his mother to file a second appeal on the court proceedings that took place last June. We believe that the appeal was not made. We will know for certain this week if the appeal deadline has passed and if Hudson will finally be eligible for adoption. With our faith and knowledge that with the Lord, all things are possible, we hope to start the adoption process this week!!

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Family Memorization: Week one of 2015

Philippians 4:11
"Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned  in whatsoever state I am in. therewith to be content."

Grandpa and Grandma Bird

We had the most wonderful visit with Grandpa and Grandma Bird tonight. We did a surprise visit because we felt like we don't see them often enough. They were very excited to see us and have us in their home. It was so wonderful sitting down with them and simply talking. They shared things that neither Kelly nor I ever knew. Grandma told us how she had four miscarriages in addition to her eight children. She told us how she wasn't scared to have her last child at 44 because her mother didn't have problems baring children later in life. Grandpa chimed in that he was terrified for Grandma to have their last child. Apparently Grandma's friend passed away during childbirth at the age of 40. Grandpa said how scared he was the entire pregnancy and delivery. Grandpa was unusually chatty tonight. He told us about all his 33 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren. We're not certain his numbers are correct but he could tell us how they each were doing and who was pregnant. There is one thing that the Birds will forever teach us and that is how important family is.

We love Mac and Dot Bird!

Week 26 of Family Memorization: Moroni 10:5

We haven't been as faithful as I would like regarding memorizing weekly but we're trying! This week I chose Moroni 10:5 "And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things." I chose this scripture as a way to bare my testimony to my family. I know that all things can be revealed by the gift of Holy Ghost. I know that if my children can learn this principal their lives will be richly blessed!

Week 25 of memorization: 3 Nephi 27:27

"Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am." Kelly chose this weeks scripture, he says it's one of his favorites!

Family Home Evening by Elli (age 91/2 years)

I am thankful for prayers because I was having trouble with a friend and I needed help, so I watched General conference. One talk was about prayer, so I prayed to Heavenly Father like they said .That morning I prayed and went to school and I found out that she was having trouble with another friend so I helped her .I know Heavenly Father loves me. And I can love others around me, like my friend.