BLESSINGS IN DISGUISE ; Book of Mormon--1 Nephi 2:24.

 24 And if it so be that they rebel against me, they shall be a scourge unto thy seed, to stir them up in the ways of remembrance.

    Last night I read this chapter and this scripture has never really stuck out to me before now.  Here Lehi is talking to his younger son Nephi, telling him because of his obedience to God that he will always be more powerful than his older brothers.  Then he tells Nephi here in this verse up above that if his brothers rebel than their posterity will be a trial for Nephi's posterity.  Which does end up happening, but what really sticks out to me is when Lehi goes on to say that this will help Nephi's seed remember God.  
     All trials are blessings in disguise.  This is something that has been hard for me to realize sometimes (especially while caught right in the middle of a trial).  Last night while I was laying in bed I was thinking about this, and all my trials have brought me to remember my God and turn to Him and I have grown stronger with His help.  

      Just for fun I decided to change my look.  I wanted some layers and also decided to go with bangs.  The craziest thing I did was get my eye brows waxed!  I have never done that before.  I am happy how everything turned out.  

Here is my Before.  It is kind of hard to see with my 2 little kiddies on me but who can pass up these cute faces.  I love them

After

       Either way though, I feel beautiful.

Love,
    Becky joy

Book of Mormon 3 Nephi Chapter 15

 3 Nephi 15: 6 And blessed are the Gentiles, because of their belief in me, in and of the Holy Ghost, which witnesses unto them of me and of the Father.

     I read chapters 14 and 15 today and I am kind of having a hard time knowing what to say.  I have read through the chapters a couple times and I realized I love this verse.  I have never seen the Savior (in this life at least) but I know He is real.  I don't need to see Him to know He is real, I have felt he is real because the Holy Ghost has testified of this to me as I have patterned my life after the Saviors.  I have felt my Savior's love and I have been healed through His atonement. 
    I remember the night I learned for myself that the Savior truly was more than a fairy tale.  I was reading my scriptures and the Holy Ghost flooded through me so strongly, I knew after that night that the Book of Mormon and all of it's Prophets were true men that once walked the earth and kept the records and the Savior and Heavenly Father were just as real as I was sitting in that room that night.  The Holy Ghost is amazing and brings such a warm feeling spreading peace.

Love,
    Becky joy

  

Book of Mormon: 3 Nephi Chapter 14

     Before I talk about this chapter I just wanted to share what my little 3 year old daughter prayed tonight in our Family Home Evening prayer.  She said, "thank you for giving us Reuben."  Reuben is the new little addition to our family and we love him so much.  I just thought it was so sweet how she said that in the prayer. She is just so sweet and we love her.

It's hard to get her to wear anything but a dress.

In this chapter (3 Nephi 14) I couldn't help but feel the spirit as I thought of the Prophet: Thomas S. Monson.  In verses 15-23 it warns against false Prophets and how to tell between a true Prophet and a False one.  In these scriptures the Savior says:

 15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

 20 Wherefore, by their fruits ye shall know them.

 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven.

 22 Many will say to me in that day: Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name, and in thy name have cast out devils, and in thy name done many wonderful works?

 23 And then will I profess unto them: I never knew you; departfrom me, ye that work iniquity.

     I know Thomas S. Monson is a true Prophet in this dispensation for Jesus Christ.  The spirit testified that to me as I read this chapter, when I hear his words I am filled with the spirit also, and as I study his life/works he has lived his life very close to the Savior.  I invite you to listen to his words and study his works as well.

Love,

     Becky joy

Book of Mormon: 3 Nephi Chapter 11

     I'm back!!  Sorry I had my baby on October 5th!!  We named him Reuben Hinckley Cook (his middle name is after the past Prophet of our church, Gordon B. Hinckley, I loved that man).  And I am in love love love with my little baby boy.

Family picture after my little boy was born.  Joy completely filled me.

Our daughter Sage meeting her new little brother.  She is in love with him!

     Tonight I found myself in 3 Nephi chapter 11.   One of my favorite things about the Book of Mormon is the record in it containing Jesus Christ coming to America.  Isn't it neat that there is a record of it!  The chapters that Jesus Christ is in are also some of my most favorite ones.
    This chapter is packed with such good messages and doctrine from the Savior but the thing I wanted to focus on tonight was something I struggle with so much and that is contention.
     In Verse 29, Jesus says: For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.
     Since I had a baby, my Mom is here this week.   She is such a wonderful Grandmother and has been such a great help to me but the truth is, we don't always see eye to eye.  While reading this chapter it hit me,  Why do I feel the need to share my opinion with her on some matters that she already has such a strong opinion on?  I think it is because I want her to know I think she she is wrong.  That is not right and it won't get us anywhere.
     Also while reading this chapter and verse, I came to realize, I am following Satan when I allow myself to get worked up.  Contention is not of the Savior, it is of the Devil.  So perhaps when I am starting to feel crazy, I need to stop what I am doing and go and spend time with my Heavenly Father.   In verse 27 the Savior states, " 27 And after this manner shall ye baptize in my name; for behold, verily I say unto you, that the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost are one; and I am in the Father, and the Father in me, and the Father and I are one."  
     So as I spend time with my Heavenly Father I will become more Christlike.  I really hope I can remember to do this before another argument occurs.  It really doesn't matter about how my Mom speaks differently than me, what matters is that our family is strong and that Satan doesn't have power to destroy us.  
      Love,
          Becky joy
P.S. to read the blog about me birthing my baby you can go here.

A new day, a new blog, a new challenge

     I have decided to start a new blog.  I currently have a blog about my family, my faith, and my feelings: westonandbexi.blogspot.com, but I have been feeling like I should start a blog for quite a while now about my studies in the scriptures: Old Testament, New Testament, Doctrine of Covenants, Pearl of Great Price, and lastly The Book of Mormon.  Most of my posts will be on the Book of Mormon.  I believe these records were written, kept, and preserved because the Lord knew we would need them for our day.  I will also blog from time to time about different talks and articles I read from leaders in my faith: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  Many people also know this church as the Mormon Church.    
     One of the talents mentioned in my Patriarchal blessing is the talent of, "reading and explaining the written word".  I was thinking this would be a great way to share that talent to anyone who comes across this blog, but more importantly I am doing this blog to help myself.  I think that as I ponder about the scriptures I just read by recording it on here, it will help my scripture study improve and I need the blessings that come from feasting upon the word!!

Love,
    Becky joy