Music and a funeral

i went to my wife's aunts funeral this last weekend. She was not a member of the church but the funeral service was very beautiful. the spirit was felt very strongly and i believe it was due in large part to the music that was played during the program. it was very soft and gentle and the lyrics were uplifting and comforting. music is powerful

Ensign

Reading the Ensign has been a great way to prepare for conference. I had never really done it before but you hear about people who say that they read a conference talk everyday up till conference and it really helped them be spiritually and mentally prepared. ive been trying to be as diligent as possible and ive noticed a difference.

Book of Mormon

i have realized that the greatest media source i rely on the most is the Book of Mormon. I rely on it more than any other thing in regards to direction, my mood, a pick me up, clarification and understanding, feeling peace and the spirit, getting through hard days, finding ways to help those around me and those i love, a boost of determination, and the list goes on. Thank you God for the Book of Mormon.

Sunday Music

I love how Listening to sunday music totally changes the feeling and makes Sunday what it should be. My wife and i have tried hard to do this lately and we have noticed how it really helps sunday feel speical and different from any other day of the week.

managing time

Jacob 5
read these verses with this symbolism in mind and it will blow your mind how powerful this lesson is taught of how to manage your time

tree: you (your life)
branches: how you use your time
fruit: who and what you become
roots: spirit

Jacob 5: 11, 18, 36, 47-48, 66

atonement

Christ has "paid in full" the debt and therefore can do what he wants with it. He can require all the way from 100% interest to absolutely nothing at all and absorb the loss himself. It is a very minimal condition he requires in comparison to the price he himself paid. Those conditions are obedience to the principles and ordinances of the gospel. What mercy, such love and devotion can I forget?! 

How to view others

The other day at work i was taught by my boss from the scriptures how to view others the right way, meaning the way God would want us to view each other. He read and quoted multiple scriptures of the lord stating HE is gathering Israel and He is doing it at a rate more rapidly than possibly at any other time in the history of the world. My boss further explained that the lord is "tapping people on the shoulder" long before the missionaries ever knock their door or long before we as members invite them to church or give them a Book of Mormon. We would do well to remember that. We have a role in the gathering of Israel but ultimately HE, the Lord, is gathering his people on a very personal and intimate level. Remember that the lord is tapping the shoulder of all those around you. some choose to listen and pay attention to the tap. others dont. But the way we should see others should be in light of the fact God is very aware of everyone.