Finding Friendships In The Scriptures

In the last General Conference, click here to view it, Elder Richard G. Scott spoke on the importance of using the scriptures in our daily lives. He encouraged us to memorize scriptures. By doing this we are building a new friendship. Just as a good friend would come to our aid and offer comfort, advise, encouragement, peace or even a bit of reproving, the memorized scriptures brought back to our memories can likewise come to our aid. As we prepare ourselves by learning, studying and remembering these sacred words we are making it easier for the Holy Ghost to be able to get through to our hearts, reminding us that we are not alone. In fact I think that by knowing these scriptures we are making it easier for us to be taught by the quiet whisperings of the Holy Ghost, thus giving us the opportunity for personal revelation and inspiration pertaining to those specific times in our lives. The Holy Ghost will be able to gently remind us of these words(friends) when we are in need of love and support and because we know them, we have taken the time to become familiar with them and their meanings, thus, we have a personal testimony of their truthfulness. Therefore when we hear these words in our heads and hearts they bring an overwhelming sense of love reminding us that our Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ know us! They love us and they are right beside us during our journey here on earth.

            Since October I have been thinking about some of the scriptures that bring me comfort, peace and encouragement and what I would want to leave with my posterity that would help them in their lives to follow the example of Jesus Christ and know of His love for each of them. Instead of writing them all out, I thought it would be different to take out pertinent lines from my list of scriptures and put them all together forming one paragraph…well sort of a paragraph…if you click on the passage it will take you to the scripture where you can read the entire verse. There is no way I can put all of my favoritest scriptures in here but it is a good start. I know I will look back at this later today and want to add more, but here goes…

            Be patient in afflictions (D&C 24:8), reaching forth unto those things which are before, (Philippians 3:13) Don’t be unduly concerned about anything, afflicted for nothing…and the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts…through Jesus Christ. (footnotes) (Philippians 4:6) There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear (1 John 4:18) I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. (Philippians 4:11) Trust in the Lord with all thine heart. (Proverbs 3:5) Love one another; as I have loved you (John 13:34-35) Cast not away therefore thy confidence (Hebrews 10:35) 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. (1 Nephi 3:7) be not weary in well doing (D&C 64:33) let your light so shine (3Nephi 12:15-16) Peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; (D&C 121:7-10) God has provided a means that man, through faith, might work might miracles (Mosiah 8:18) ye shall be patient in long-suffering and afflictions, and I will make an instrument of thee in my hands. (Alma 17:11) For I will go before your face…and mine angels round about you, to bear you up (D&C 84:88) let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power (D&C 123:17) ye must press forward…having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men…behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life. (2 Nephi 31:20) and above all…know…that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good (D&C 122:7)

I am so grateful for the scriptures. I am grateful for the Book of Mormon which is another Testament of Jesus Christ and works with the Bible in testifying of the truthfulness of the Gospel here on earth as well as in the eternities to come. I know the scriptures are true! I know that they can be our friends as we get to know them and use them in our daily lives. I am so grateful for the many answers to prayers that I have received as I have talked with my Heavenly Father and then opened the scriptures to find answers. God does hear us, and he speaks to us today in ways that are personal to each one of us. I know for a fact that Miracles happen on this earth everyday. Each of us may be struggling with different trials, and waiting upon the Lord for him to bless us with things that will be for our good. It is vital that we don’t lose faith and hope. He knows YOU! You Matter to Him! He wants to bless us and he sees the bigger picture that we can not see right now. “Don’t give up. Don’t you quit. You keep trying. There is help and happiness ahead—a lot of it. You keep your chin up. It will be all right in the end. Trust God and believe in good things to come.”