2,000 Stripling Warriors and Their Mothers that Knew

Hey everyone! I hope everyone is doing well and feeling great! School has been going well for me. It has been tougher on some parts and it's killing me to see 83% on my scores but I am trying my best and that's all that matters, right?

So, again, I'd like to share some things I learned about this past week. We've been studying the book of Alma in the Book of Mormon now and we are towards the end. Or in my opinion, the best part! If you are unfamiliar with the story of the 2,000 Stripling Warriors please look it up!!! It's one of my favorites! I am a bit partial to it because I have a son and pray that he feels the same way as those boys did then. I enjoyed Sister Julie B. Beck's video where she talked about them and their mothers. The Stripling Warriors said that their mothers knew it. She says that mother's need not fear! She believes that we have taught them well, enough to know who God is, who they are, and because of that they will have the greatest power in them! Oh how I do wish that my son knows who he is and that God loves him. I can see my son standing up to battle against those who wish to thwart us. Just the other day I was catching up with a long time friend and telling her all about my son, who is such an angel to us! He is the best kid ever. At 16 years old he is so responsible and loved by all. We are lucky to have him in our family.

I am glad that he is on the right path in his life. While reading this week I read in Alma 48:18 about Alma and the sons of Mosiah, about how they are likened unto Moroni. Such a strong character to be compared to! But then it talks about how Alma and the sons of Mosiah used to be horrible! They were wicked, went about talking bad about the church, pushing people away from it. Yet, they are now being talked up like some of the best. I love this. We all make mistakes. We all fall into transgression. That is what is so great about this book. It is a book of Hope and Forgiveness. We learn about the Atonement and how it can make us clean and pure. Elder Richard G. Scott said, "If you have repented from serious transgression and mistakenly believe that you will be a second class citizen in the kingdom of God, learn that that is not true!" I believe this with all my heart. We can have our own "storehouse of faith" to help us rise above the things in this world that make us unholy.

Virtue - a pattern of thought and behavior based on high moral standards (chastity & purity). I believe virtue is a trait that is rare to find these days. High moral standards are not "old fashioned." President Monson said, "You be the one to stand for right, even if you stand alone." I remember at one time that I was scared to stand alone. That it wasn't "cool" to stand alone. Now as I am getting older I see what a fool I was for thinking that. To stand alone means something now. You have confidence, you know who you are and you know that you are not alone. Even when standing there alone.

One thing I can learn from the most in this book of scriptures is the conversation between Moroni and Pahoran. I believe Elder David A. Bednar said it best. "In sometime, someday someone will say or do something that you will consider offensive. We can not control their behaviour. We DO control how we ACT. Choose not to be offended. Pahoran choose not to take offense against Moroni." Yep... OUCH! If that was not right to the gut I don't know what is! That is me in a nutshell! No, not Pahoran! lol I need to strive to be like Pahoran and not take things so personally and take offense. It's like my husband says, "No, I did not wake up this morning thinking how can I make Nini upset!" Uh...Oh yeah, I guess that makes sense! So, How do we act? How do we respond? Take a step back. Look at the bigger picture. Don't be so quick to assume. Because in the grand scheme of things, IT MATTERETH NOT

With Love,
Nini V.

Second Week of the Second Semester

Hey everyone! I hope your week was a good one! Now we get to enjoy a three day weekend! 

I have finished my second week of the second semester now and I am still loving school! It's been amazing how well this has gone. Having the Lord on your side while going through school is the best way to go. 

I wanted to share a few things that I have learned this week. Every week we get to watch some videos about our book of scriptures we are studying that week. They are called Digging Deeper. I love these videos. It is usually someone from either of the Quorum's or the first presidency. Here are a few of my favorites:

President Ezra Taft Benson says that The Book of Mormon is the Word of God. There are two reasons why he says this. 1.) It tells in plain manner of Christ and bears witness of the fall and Atonement. 2.) It exposes the enemies of Christ. False prophets and false witnesses. 

President Boyd K. Packer says that in Alma the Younger's day, the word of God was more powerful than the sword! He said that when true doctrine is understood, attitudes and behaviors will change.

President Deiter F. Uchtdorf asks us how do we receive a personal testimony? He then gives us some suggestions. We must have the desire to believe. If we desire it, God promises divine power! If we search the scriptures, study them and have questions, He will give us the knowledge through personal testimony. We must do the will of God to gain the testimony we are wanting. If we keep the commandments, do more than casual study, learn and actually DO God's will, He will testify to us personally.

Elder Russel M. Nelson and President Boyd K. Packer both spoke about the Atonement. Oh, the Atonement! How thankful I am of the Atonement! Where would I be without the Atonement of Christ? Where would any of us be? Ok, back to the Elder's words. Elder Nelson says that the Atonement is Infinite! All humans can be saved! Jesus was the only one that could do this. Because he had a mortal mother and an immortal father. President Packer says that the Atonement is the redemption from spiritual death and suffering caused by sin. The Atonement is not only for the end of physical life, it is an ever present power that we can use daily! The gospel plan is the Plan of Happiness. The spiritual pain we feel from guilt can be calmed by the spirit! Like Alma the Younger felt when he was "in the darkest abyss" at his lowest, but now holds the light of God! We all make mistakes and because of this we suffer, we feel guilt but this is when the healing power of the Atonement can help! We must repent and look to the Atonement to lift us up. 

In Alma 31 there are two prayers in this chapter. One of them is given by the Zoramites. It is a recited prayer. There is no feelings in the prayer, no requests to help them become better people. Nothing personal. While Alma's prayer is very personal. He makes it specific and asks for help with the people. He prays for comfort, strength, power, wisdom and success. He asks that he and his brothers have the strength to bear any afflictions that the Zoramites might cause them. Two very different prayers in two very different ways. I think I know how I would like my children to talk to me! 

So, you can see that a lot can be learned in just this small section of Alma in the Book of Mormon. I really enjoyed reading through Alma chapter 34 because of all the insights that Amulek has. He shares with the people ways to pray. I love how detailed he gets when talking to them. He tells them to pray here and there, when and why and for who! Even your enemies! He then says that this is not all! You must Live this way! Do not turn away the poor and the needy but reach out to them and love them as Heavenly Father loves you. I love how this chapter tells us how to live. We can choose to be happy, pray all day, give love to those around us and feel His love for us at anytime and anywhere.

I am thankful for my Heavenly Father and the love that He has for me. I am thankful that I have the knowledge of the gospel and that I can choose to live like Jesus Christ. I know my Heavenly Father loves me. I know that Jesus Christ lives! I know that He died for us so that we can live with Heavenly Father again. I will live to be a disciple of Christ. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I am a Mormon. 

Here we go with my second semester of College!

So, I'm back to school again now. This is my second week and I'm already nervous! Let me first start by saying that I've always loved math problems. I've never really struggled with it. I enjoy working with numbers. Ok, ok, so hate me if you want to. But it's fine. I like my numbers! However, taking a college course on math is so different! Online too! Today I looked over my lesson overview from my professor and it was awesome. I felt comforted by what I saw. It made me feel so good that I wanted to share with all of you what it was. I hope this video brings joy to your hearts and peace in your minds! I am a Child of God!

With Love, Nini Van De Venter