Learning from Life’s Trials

Posted on October 20, 2024 by latterdays

Life is full of challenges that test our faith, our patience, and our resolve. From personal struggles to unexpected burdens, we all encounter moments when our problems seem insurmountable, and our hearts are heavy with doubt. It is a humbling reality that not all of our problems can be eliminated. Some trials linger, and their solutions seem beyond our reach. However, as children of a loving God, we are not left without hope. Though the storms of life may not always pass as quickly as we would like, we are given the gift of learning from our trials. Each difficulty we face is an opportunity to draw closer to God, to seek His wisdom, and to understand His purpose for us. In the midst of pain, confusion, or even fear, there lies the chance for growth and refinement. As the Apostle Paul reminds us, “we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope.” (Romans 5:3-4) Through our struggles, we can be shaped into vessels of greater faith, hope, and charity.
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Trusting in God’s Blessings

Posted on October 19, 2024 by latterdays

Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in my house; and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
– 2 Nephi 24:10

As I sit with the words of this passage, I pause to reflect, inviting the Spirit to speak to me in the stillness. The Lord of Hosts issues a direct and emphatic invitation to bring all the tithes into His storehouse, ensuring there is “meat in [His] house.” I sense a weight in this invitation. This is a call to surrender fully, to trust in His providence, and to make sure my heart is in accord with His plans.

In the ancient world, tithes were an essential part of covenant life with God, a sign of loyalty and devotion. Yet, I feel the tug in my own soul—how often do I struggle with fully trusting Him with all that I have? It is easy to offer a portion, a token of what He has given me, but here He asks for all the tithes. He asks for completeness, the whole-hearted offering that expresses not just duty, but love and faith in His abundant provision. A couple of years ago, a brother from the Church reminded me that tithes do not always take a financial form—it can be our service to others, especially if one is enduring a financial crisis or simply no money to provide to the Lord’s house. This should always be between you and Heavenly Father. It is still a matter of trusting the Lord.
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Divine Mercy and Kindness

Posted on October 18, 2024 by latterdays

In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment, but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer.
– 3 Nephi 22:8

In life, we often encounter moments when Heavenly Father might seem distant—when our prayers feel unanswered, and our hearts feel heavy with the weight of silence. It is during these times that I find great comfort in such passages as 3 Nephi 22:8. As I reflect on these words, I think of the nature of God’s dealings with His children. There are seasons in life where we may feel as though His face is hidden from us. These can be times of trial, sorrow, or spiritual confusion. The Lord’s wrath, mentioned here, may not be the vengeful anger we often associate with human emotions, but rather a moment of divine chastisement or the natural consequences of our own actions. The Lord, in His infinite wisdom, sometimes allows us to experience moments of seeming abandonment to refine us, to teach us, and to help us grow in ways that uninterrupted comfort would never achieve. However He assures us that His mercy is not quickly fading. His kindness is everlasting. The momentary feeling of divine absence is not the end of the story. With perfect love, He promises mercy. This mercy is not earned or conditional but flows from His nature as our Redeemer. It is the kind of mercy that does not only restore what was lost but transforms and elevates us. It is a mercy that reminds us that though we are frail and fallen, He is always ready to welcome us back with open arms.
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The Promise of Purification

Posted on October 17, 2024 by latterdays

Reflecting on 3 Nephi 21:19 and 2 Nephi 26:29

The words of Nephi and the Saviour’s prophecy in 3 Nephi reveal some significant truths about the nature of human corruption and the promise of eventual sanctification. These passages hold a mirror up to our hearts, inviting us to consider the subtle ways in which pride, deceit, and self-aggrandisement can infiltrate even the sacred areas of life.
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Propers for October 15

Posted on October 14, 2024 by latterdays

The Collect
Almighty and most merciful Saviour, who didst stretch forth Thy hand to heal the sick, the afflicted, and the broken in spirit: grant unto us, we beseech Thee, that same compassion and mercy, that we may bring before Thee our infirmities, trusting in Thy divine power. Strengthen our faith, that we, like those of old, may receive Thy healing grace, and in gratitude fall at Thy feet in humble worship. Through Thy boundless love, may we find wholeness in body and soul, and ever offer our tears of thanksgiving unto Thee, who livest and reignest for ever and ever. Amen.
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Sacrament and Sacred Covenant

Posted on October 14, 2024 by latterdays

“And he said unto them: He that eateth this bread eateth of my body to his soul; and he that drinketh of this wine drinketh of my blood to his soul; and his soul shall never hunger nor thirst, but shall be filled.” – 3 Nephi 20:8

As I reflect upon the words of Christ in 3 Nephi 20:8, my heart is stirred with a very deep reverence for the sacredness of the Sacrament. The words recorded in Nephi are not simply symbolic; they invite us into a covenantal relationship with the Saviour that transcends mortal understanding and unites us with the Lord in a most intimate way. This is not merely a ritual of remembrance. The Sacrament is the act by which we renew our covenant with through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. In the holiness of this moment, bread and wine (or water) are consecrated to represent His body and His blood, which were offered up on the cross for our salvation. As we partake of these emblems, we do more than remember—we participate in His divine life. We take into ourselves His infinite atonement, renewing the promise that He has made to all who follow Him: that we will never hunger or thirst spiritually, but be filled with His love and grace.
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Propers for October 14

Posted on October 13, 2024 by latterdays

The Collect
O Almighty and Everlasting God, who didst bestow upon thy servant Nephi great faith and power to minister unto thy people in the name of thy beloved Son, Jesus Christ; grant that we, being moved by the same Spirit, may boldly proclaim repentance and remission of sins, and work the works of righteousness in thy name; that through faith in Jesus Christ we may overcome all evil and be made partakers of thy divine grace; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
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The Power of Pure Prayer

Posted on October 13, 2024 by latterdays

“And it came to pass that when Jesus had thus prayed unto the Father, he came unto his disciples, and behold, they did still continue, without ceasing, to pray unto him; and they did not multiply many words, for it was given unto them what they should pray, and they were filled with desire.” – 3 Nephi 19:24

As I reflect on this passage from 3rd Nephi, I find myself drawn into the sacred moment between the Saviour and His disciples. After Christ’s powerful prayer to the Father, He returns to find His disciples in prayer. What strikes me is the simplicity and depth of their prayers. They “did not multiply many words, for it was given unto them what they should pray, and they were filled with desire.” This scene offers a significant lesson on the true nature of prayer. Effective prayer is not only about expressing our thoughts or desires to God, but rather a sacred partnership with Him. The disciples’ prayers were guided by the Spirit—”it was given unto them what they should pray.” This tells us that our prayers should not be limited by what we think we need, but rather that we must allow the Holy Ghost to guide us in asking for what God knows is best. The Spirit, as promised, plays a pivotal role in this divine communication, helping us make sure our will is with that of Heavenly Father’s.
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Baptismal Covenant Reflection

Posted on October 11, 2024 by latterdays

“And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light. Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?” (Mosiah 18:8-10)

There is something deeply stirring in the passage from Mosiah, where Alma stands at the waters of Mormon and invites the people to enter into a covenant with the Lord. As I reflect on the words spoken, I think of the sacred nature of baptism and the promises we make when we enter into that covenant. To me, it is more than a moment, or date on the calendar; instead, this is a lifelong commitment, one that should cause us to live as true disciples of Christ. When Alma asks the people if they are “willing to bear one another’s burdens” and “mourn with those that mourn,” it becomes clear that baptism is not simply an individual act, but a commitment to live in community, to love and serve one another. It is our duty to walk alongside our brothers and sisters in their trials, to extend a hand when they are weighed down, and to offer comfort in times of sorrow. These actions are not just outward expressions of kindness; they are reflections of the Saviour’s love working through us.

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Praying According to God’s Will

Posted on October 10, 2024 by latterdays
“And whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you.” – 3 Nephi 18:20

When I reflect on the promise in 3 Nephi 18:20, I feel a deep assurance in the power of prayer. Christ’s words are direct and clear: if we ask the Father in His name, with faith and in complete accord with what is right, we will receive. It is a remarkable invitation from the Saviour to approach God with confidence, knowing that the heavens are open to those who seek His will. However, the condition, is equally important—our requests must be in accordance with what is right. This admonishes me to reflect not only on what I desire but on how my desires are shaped by God’s will. I think of Psalm 37:4, where we are counselled to “delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” This verse connects quite well with the message in 3 Nephi because it can help us understand that as we make sure our steps are with those of the Lord, our desires will naturally conform to His will. The things we seek will be what is right in His sight because our hearts have been changed to desire what He desires. It is not merely about receiving what we want, but about wanting what is good and right before Heavenly Father.

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