This week's journey--Week of October 15 2016
Read:
Our Heritage, pages 13-19
Write:
Reflect on the description of the baptism of Joseph Smith, Sr., and write about a time when your father or a father figure guided or inspired you. (Our Heritage p. 15)
Follow the journey on Twitter@SeattleNStakeRS
We hope that you had a wonderful week of reading, writing, and reflecting. One advantage of reading fewer chapters is the chance it is giving me to re-read these important passages for several days. Although I have read the account many times in the past, this week I was realized for the first time that Lehi in 1 Nephi 5 pauses in the midst of the wilderness to read the scriptures, the plates of brass, and in them he finds his family history! Our stories are so deeply entwined with the stories of our ancestors, and as Lehi and his family journey into the unknown, it is fitting that they take their history and spiritual heritage with them as a guide.
This week's reflection was written by Jenni Currit of the Discovery Park Ward, member of the Stake Relief Society Presidency:
Journal Entry "Write about a time when you had to show faith as Nephi did"
When I was deciding if I should go on a mission I was overwhelmed with fear over the consequences of taking time away from my educational and personal goals. I knew deep down that I wanted to go but the fog of fear grew and grew as the time to send in my papers approached. The fear eventually paralyzed me and left me unable to make any decisions. I finally went to my father for a blessing and in this blessing he said "Satan would have you believe that by serving your Heavenly Father certain blessings will not come to you. I bless you at this time that all the things that you so desire will come to pass if you, with courage, strive to do what your Heavenly Father would have you do...you will receive blessings far beyond, even now, what you hope for in your life. Do not be afraid!"
That logic seemed so clear when it was put in the light like that. Of course the Lord does not withhold blessings when we serve him and choose to follow him! He always has a way prepared for us in our own lives with full awareness of our private hopes and dreams and empathy for our fears. That has become my personal testimony that echoes Nephi's testimony in 1 Nephi 3:7, "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." This courage and confidence was the boost I needed to turn my papers in and serve a mission which has blessed my life in such a multitude of ways I could not begin to number them.
As my husband and I have been asked in recent years to serve in callings that have required time and effort that we were not sure we were able to give, or quite honestly not sure that we wanted to give, I have had to think back to that testimony to muster the courage to accept the calling. (or to support my husband) And each time I have chosen to push away the fear and serve I have been overwhelmed by the blessings we have received, greater than my own dreams every time.
Thank you for your faith and courage dear sisters! Please let me know if you would be willing to share an excerpt from your growing personal history.
With love,
Marni Campbell, Michelle Quinn, Theresa Roth, Jenni Currit
Seattle North Stake Relief Society Presidency
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