The Blueprint of Christ's Church by Tad R. Callister

                           

 

The back cover of this book reads:      

 

  "We need to know not only the doctrine but, whenever possible, the underlying rationale so we cam explain the doctrine in a clear and concise an powerful way."

 

 

Brother Callister has done us all a real favor with this book. He has provided us with a "systematic explanation of foundational gospel principles, tying them to Jesus Christ and demonstrating how the "blueprint" of the original Church of Jesus Christ matches the structure of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."

 

 

This book would be a great gift for any gospel student. It is scripturally based with the majority of its references coming straight from the Bible. I think that any parent, teacher, missionary or Church leader could benefit from this book. Many frequent questions are answered in its pages with a solid explanation so that you will be prepared and educated the next time you receive a difficult question.

 

I'm not quite finished with the book, but I've found it so easy to read and so educational. It is set up to serve as a resource that we can include in our study continually. This book will not be collecting dust.

 

You can purchase a copy HERE

Fantasy General Conference - Free Printable

*****here is a link to a current Fantasy General Conference Printable. Mine is outdated and I do not have time to create a new file.


https://onedrive.live.com/?authkey=%21AI%5FGsCCknwQzCk8&cid=4EF5F99060E94EA7&id=4EF5F99060E94EA7%214335&parId=root&o=OneUp



This was a huge hit last year so we are going to play this game again as a family for this weekends General Conference for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

The last time the winner was Dylan and he got a Super Date with Scott.

I was hoping to win;)

But seriously the kids loved it and so did Scott!

I lost big time so I'm due.

Free Printable

Let me know if you guys have fun playing this game.

There is a list of current General Authorities Here.

Curious about General Conference?  Watch this video.

52 Life-Changing Questions From The Book Of Mormon & Giveaway

Have you ever thought about the power of a question?

Have you ever been asked a life-changing question?

I have.

Scott asked me to marry him.

I said, YES!!!

LIFE-CHANGING.

Last year I was asked another life-changing question. 

Well, actually 3 questions. 

As I was flipping through channels, watching "trash-TV" (which is what I call it because most of it pretty much is) , I heard the spirit whisper to my soul...

"At what point in your life are you going to give THIS up and CHOOSE ME?"

Followed by,

"Does this mindless entertainment BRING LASTING HAPPINESS?"

And then sealed with this final question...

"How old will you be when you decide you are ready to SEEK ME FIRST?"

I won't lie. That last question threw me for a loop. And I most certainly wasn't ready to give up watching Modern Family and Grey's Anatomy when, for a brief moment, I settled on the ripe old age of 57.  

My difficult response to these 3 questions I'll save for another post. But were these questions life-changing?

Absolutely. 

Am I a different person because of them?

Most assuredly, yes.

What questions have you been asked in your life that have been life-changing?

Elder Tad R. Callister wrote,

"The power of a good question is of inestimable worth. It is like an alarm clock that awakens us out of our mental doldrums. It is a catalyst that jump-starts our metal engines."

Did you know that...

• There are 61 different individuals in the Book of Mormon that ask questions. Some of these include, prophets, missionaries, investigators and apostates.
• Alma chapter 5 has the most questions of any chapter in the Book of Mormon. 42!
• Alma the Younger asks the most questions in the Book of Mormon. He asks 103 questions. Nephi is in 2nd place with 41 questions.
• The most commonly asked question has to do with how people remember - or forget - the Lord. Variations of this question appear 26 times.
• Jesus Christ asks 35 direct questions in the Book of Mormon

The Book 52 Life-Changing Questions from the Book of Mormon is designed to give you one question to ponder and study, every week for an entire year. 

The authors Brad Wilcox and John Hilton III note that Joseph Smith stated that people would get nearer to God through reading the Book of Mormon than through any other book. They also suggest that one short chapter each week in a year while pondering these inspired questions will propel readers forward to attain that goal.

Some of my favorite questions that they cover in their book are...

• Have ye received his image in your countenances? (Alma 5:14)
• Why do not angels appear unto us? (Alma 21:5)
• Is not a soul at this time as precious unto God? (Alma 39:17)
• How is it that ye have forgotten? (1 Nephi 7:11)
• What evidence have ye that there is no God? (Alma 30:40)
• 
  

GIVEAWAY!!!

So now comes one more question.

Is this a book that you think you or someone you know could benefit from?

If the answer is yes, you are in luck.

I'm GIVING AWAY  one copy to a lucky reader.

Please leave me a comment, or a question below and you will be entered to win.

You can purchase this book also. Visit Deseret Book.

Good Luck!!!

Written On Our Hearts by Emily Freeman & GIVEAWAY!!!

Oh, how I love Emily Freeman's writing.

I am blown away by her ability to "Liken" the scriptures to me.
To you.
To everyone.

I read her books and I think to myself, "Self, you have never thought of it that way before." or "Self, now you get it don't you."





Have you read any of her books before?
*21 Days Closer To Christ
*Love Life and See Good Days

Oh, they are excellent. They make me love the scriptures. I mean, I already love them...but I start to really understand them, and 'listen' to them and then I really LOVE them. This new book has the prettiest cover of any book I have ever seen. It is stunning. When my copy arrived I just stared at it. It is so beautiful.

Written on Our Hearts is a book about Invitations From The Old Testament.
It is so well written. She uses personal testimony and experiences, modern day prophetic council and deep rooted questions, to pull life and meaning from the pages of the Old Testament. It is crafted so beautifully. I was teary eyed at almost every page turn. My heart was softened in such a sweet, delicate way. I have devoured almost every page and I'm so glad that I still have a few more chapters because I don't want it to end. I am sure I will read and re-read this book.

Read Daily Inspiration from Emily on her blog HERE!!!!

I'd love to give one of you a free copy.

GIVEAWAY!!! 

All you have to do is leave a comment Below! Good Luck.

The Doctrine & Covenants - Pearl of Great Price Reading Schedule

I am on to reading The Doctrine & Covenants - Pearl of Great Price, and thought maybe a new reading schedule might help me keep my scripture reading goals. So far following a plan has really helped me!

Feel free to print your own copy and join me!

Print Your Own Copy Here!!!

30 Day New Testament Reading Schedule

Download New Testament Reading Schedule Here

I finished reading the New Testament. My goal was to finish it in 30 days and complete it right before General Conference started. I didn't reach my goal, but I did finish The New Testament completely, for the first time. It took me 36 days.

Even though I didn't reach my goal, I still finished. And I still gained all the benefits of immersing myself in the scriptures daily. I wonder if we sometimes worry so much about reaching our goal, that we fail to remember that something is better than nothing. Every day I read my scriptures and every day I received spiritual strength. So I encourage you as you use my bookmarks, to not worry so much about how fast you finish the book, or the structure of the way I've set up the reading assignments, and instead focus on reading  and studying everyday, as much as you can. Sometimes I found myself taking hours just to read one chapter. (Like Romans 8)

I kept track of my reading on the bookmark and I also used the back of the bookmark to take notes and write down the scriptures that stuck out to me. There is no rhyme or reason to the madness on the bookmark.  Just little packets of light that stuck out to me and filled me with the spirit.

Some of my favorite parts of my reading were:

• Peter weeping bitterly after he denied the Savior. 
• The Parable of the Sower - this hit me really strongly. (Luke 8)
• Paul recounting the History of his life and his witness to King Agrippa. (The Acts 26)
• Becoming joint-heirs with Christ. (Romans 8)

There were so many small revelations that came to me as I read and really studied this past month. I could go on and on. I'm so grateful for the scriptures and can't wait to read The New Testament again and again.

But now I am off to Read The Doctrine & Covenants in 44 days;) It might take me longer but who cares. Setting a goal helps me actually get in the habit of reading everyday and devouring the Word Of God.

Preparing for General Conference October 2013

I've been trying to decide what I can do to spiritually prepare for General Conference next month. I have decided that I am going to read The New Testament in 30 days.

It will be a challenge.

I will have to average reading 8.67 chapters a day, or roughly 30 minutes of reading.

If I start today I will finish the entire New Testament the morning of the first session of conference on Saturday, October 5.

In order to help me stay on track I have created a 30 Day New Testament Reading Schedule. I would love to have some company if any of you feel motivated to start this challenge with me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

To those who join me...

Here is to increased knowledge, more sincere prayer, more inspiration from the Holy Ghost, a deeper understanding of the gospel, a stronger desire to keep the commandments and a closer relation to Christ.

*These Printable bookmark schedules are PDF files and should print out easily from your computer. There are two color choices. Please let me know how you like them and how your 30 day challenge goes.

Download the Blue Printable Here

Download the Pink Printable Here 

Alright, I finished my day 1 reading.

Now hurry and catch up!!!

Book Of Mormon 30 Day Reading Challenge Free Printable

Have you ever read the Book Of Mormon in 30 days? I get tons of requests for my Book Of Mormon bookmarks, so I thought I would give you a new color option!

Don't be scared to set the goal to complete this challenge. It is very doable if you use your time wisely and it really was life changing for me.

You can read about my experience right   >>> Here.

I hope you will let me know if you decide to do it. I'd love to hear about your experience. Be ready to understand certain parts of the scriptures completely differently. It is amazing.

You can just open the picture and save it to your desktop. Then you can print the picture.

Enjoy.

Now get reading.

For more Free Printables go >>>>>HERE!!!

30 Day and 90 Day Book Of Mormon Reading Schedules

The Book Of Mormon Forum Challenge is going on today over at BeingLDS:

Ever since I first challenged myself to read The Book Of Mormon in 30 Days I have had a deeper love for the scriptures and a stronger desire to love, serve and keep the commandments. When I Finished my 30 Day challenge I had a complete change of heart. I felt a deeper resolve to live the gospel than I had ever had before. I have had many people download my 30 Day Reading Schedule and I love it when they let me know that they have accepted the challenge. I have decided to include a 90 Day Reading Schedule here as well, so that everybody can find a reading plan that fits their schedule. 

Last night I had an experience with Kate. She had acted out in a behavior that really upset me. My first thought was that we needed to punish her. Really punish her. I even told Scott to go and give her a big spank. Luckily, Scott was more in line with Gospel teachings and insisted we wait and think about it. I was very disappointed in her, so much so that I was crying and really, really sad. I thought about how Enos father must have felt when he didn't think that Enos was grasping the principles of the gospel or trying to keep the commandments. I thought about how Alma must have felt when his son was running around trying to destroy the church and lead people astray. Both of these fathers must have mourned their son's mistakes and prayed mightily for them to feel the Saviors love, to make good choices, and to begin keeping the commandments.

As Scott and I knelt beside Kate's bed we looked into her 7 year old eyes. Suddenly I was much less concerned with her actual behavior, and much more concerned with helping her know and feel her Heavenly Father's love. Reminding her that she is a Daughter of God and that she has more value and worth than she will ever know. I went from almost ruining this sweet experience by spanking her in a moment of anger and rage, to feeling a love for her deeper than I have ever felt before. I sat and held her as she cried because of the sorrow she felt for the wrong she had done. And when I turned out the lights and tucked her into bed she told me she loved me and just how sorry she was. 

And I know that she is wonderful. 

What if I had missed out on that?

I am so grateful for The Book Of Mormon in my life. I'm grateful for prophets that feel like mentors and friends, for scriptures that sink deep into my soul, and for a husband that was able to help me stop for a moment and just think.

Here are two different reading schedules. I really hope you will let me know if you decide to use them. I love hearing about other peoples experiences with finishing The Book Of Mormon, whether it is for the first time or the 100th.

Just read it.

You can click on the picture, save it and print it or download a the jpeg {Here} 30 Day Reading Schedule

You can click on the picture, save it and print it or download the jpeg {Here} 90 Day Reading Schedule

The 30 day chart is available in a different color >>>> HERE.

And if you have a Book Of Mormon Experience that you would like to share...LINK UP!!! Jocelyn is having another great link-up Party over at BeingLDS. She has invited everyone to participate in her Book Of Mormon Forum.

April 2012 General Conference--No Ordinary Blessing by Dieter F. Uchtdorf: (How to prepare for General Conference)

***Make sure to become a follower of this blog so that you can check back for Deseret Book Giveaway's, Visiting Teaching Handouts, and Free LDS Artwork! 

I am really excited to share this message with you. It is a great reminder of three important points we can remember and apply as we prepare and participate in General Conference.

This First Presidency Message was first published in the Ensign in September 2011.

You can view it {Here}

General Conference—No Ordinary Blessing

A fine member of the Church was talking with a neighbor who was not of our faith. When the topic of discussion turned to general conference, the neighbor asked, “You say you have prophets and apostles? And twice a year in a worldwide conference they reveal the word of God?”

“Absolutely,” the member replied with confidence.

The neighbor thought about that for a moment. He seemed genuinely interested and then asked, “What did they say in the last general conference?”

At this point the good member of the Church went from feeling excited about sharing the gospel to feeling embarrassed. Try as he might, he couldn’t think of the details of a single talk.

His friend found this troubling and said, “You mean to tell me that God speaks to man in our day and you can’t remember what He said?”

The brother felt humbled by this exchange. He vowed that he would do better to remember the words spoken by the Lord’s servants in general conference.

We all know how hard it is to remember every message of general conference, and I’m confident that we need not be embarrassed if we don’t remember everything. Nevertheless, there are messages in each general conference given as a gift and a blessing from heaven specifically for our personal life situations.

In preparation for general conference, let me suggest three basic concepts that may help us to better receive, remember, and apply the words spoken by the Lord’s servants.

1. Members of the Church are entitled to personal revelation as they listen to and study the inspired words spoken at general conference.

As you prepare for general conference, I invite you to ponder questions you need to have answered. For example, you might yearn for direction and guidance by the Lord regarding challenges you are facing.

Answers to your specific prayers may come directly from a particular talk or from a specific phrase. At other times answers may come in a seemingly unrelated word, phrase, or song. A heart filled with gratitudefor the blessings of life and an earnest desire to hear and follow the words of counsel will prepare the way for personal revelation.

2. Don’t discount a message merely because it sounds familiar.

Prophets have always taught by repetition; it is a law of learning. You will hear repetition in themes and doctrines in general conference. Let me reassure you: this is not due to a lack of creativity or imagination. We continue to hear messages on similar issues because the Lord is teaching and impressing upon our minds and hearts certain foundational principles of great eternal importance that must be understood and acted upon before we can move on to other things. A wise builder first lays the foundation before erecting the walls and the roof.

3. The words spoken at general conference should be a compass that points the way for us during the coming months.

If we listen to and follow the promptings of the Spirit, they will serve as a Liahona, guiding us through the unknown, challenging valleys and mountains that are ahead (see 1 Nephi 16).

Since the world began, God has raised up prophets who speak the will of heaven to the people of their times. It is our responsibility to listen and then apply the messages the Lord provides for us.

Our merciful and loving Heavenly Father has not forsaken and will not forsake His children. Today, as well as in times past, He has appointed apostles and prophets. He continues to reveal His word to them.

What a marvelous privilege it is to hear God’s messages for each of us during general conference! Let us prepare well for this great blessing of divine guidance delivered by His chosen servants.

For this is no ordinary blessing.

A Change Of Heart

Conversion By The Word Of God:
My Experience Reading The Book Of Mormon in 30 days 

About two months ago I had an impression. I felt very strongly that I needed to start blogging again. I wasn't really sure what I was suppose to blog about, only that I needed to start making an effort. It seemed like kind of a silly impression, but I decided to start keeping track of the changes that I was trying to make in my life.

Within a few weeks I stumbled across Jocelyn's idea to have a BOOK OF MORMON forum. I knew instantly that I wanted to participate. I quickly realized that while I loved The Book Of Mormon and knew that it was the Word Of God, I had one problem. How could I profess to testify and teach about a book that I had become so unfamiliar with? My scripture study had been minimal for years. My love for the Scriptures had died, and I was unfamiliar with the Voice Of The Lord.

How could I participate in a Forum about The Book Of Mormon when I hadn't even read it cover to cover since I was a missionary 13 years ago?

I felt a call to ACTION.

I felt a resolve to be BETTER.

I felt the need to CHANGE.

I knew that Jocelyn's purpose in starting The Book Of Mormon Forum was to share her testimony about the Gospel with others.

I realized that my participation was going to be sharing the gospel with Myself.

I love this quote by Elder Jeffery R. Holland:

"You can change anything you want to change, 

and you can do it very fast.

 That’s another satanic suckerpunch—

that it takes years and years and eons of eternity to repent.

 It takes exactly as long to repent as it takes you to say,

 “I’ll change”—and mean it. 

Of course there will be problems to work out and restitutions to make. 

You may well spend—indeed you had better spend—

the rest of your life proving your repentance by its permanence. 

But change, growth, renewal, and repentance can come for you 

as instantaneously as for Alma and the sons of Mosiah.

 Even if you have serious amends to make, 

it is not likely that you would qualify for the term,

 “the vilest of sinners,” 

which is the phrase Mormon uses in describing these young men. 

Yet as Alma recounts his own experience

 in the thirty-sixth chapter of the book that bears his name, 

his repentance appears to have been as instantaneous as it was stunning."

This quote is so beautiful and I believe it with all my heart. I am a different person than I was 28 days ago. I have been purified by the Word Of God. I feel Closer to My Savior. I feel determined to stand as a witness of God at all times, and in all places and in all things.

Elder Scott in his recent General Conference address reminded me that The Scriptures are like precious friendships. I have become reacquainted with them. I love them. I feel the POWER that they offer. 

I know that The Book Of Mormon bears testimony of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The Book Of Mormon is the Word Of God.

The teachings found in this book are True.

I can proudly tell you that I LOVE THIS BOOK.

I know that the Savior Lives, and Loves us.

I know that there is Peace & Safety in the Plan Of Salvation.

I know that the path to happiness is found in Righteousness.

I encourage anyone to read The Book Of Mormon.

Pray About it.

Seek after Christ.

Keep the commandments.

Be Baptized.

I found the Savior. 

And.

You. 

Can

Too.

Sunday Thoughts: Stephens Vision, Acts 7

Today our primary lesson was on Acts chapter 7. I'm not really sure why the story of Stephen didn't ring a bell. I know that I have read it several times before, and yet I could not remember it. It was like reading it for the first time.

As Stephen is being stoned to death he looks up and being full of the Holy Ghost he sees Jesus Christ standing on the right hand of God.

 55 But he, being full of the ^aHoly Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the ^bglory of ^cGod, and ^dJesus ^estanding on the^fright hand of God,

 56 And said, Behold, I ^asee the heavens ^bopened, and the ^cSon of man standing on the right ^dhand of ^eGod. 57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, 58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their ^aclothes at a ^byoung man’s feet, whose name was Saul. 59 And they ^astoned ^bStephen, ^ccalling upon ^dGod, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my ^espirit.

 60 And he kneeled down, and ^acried with a loud voice, ^bLord, lay not this sin to their ^ccharge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Stephen sees God the Father and his son Jesus Christ standing next to each other.

 I know that many Christians have been taught their whole lives to believe that God, Jesus and the Holy Ghost are all the same, as in the Holy Trinity.

One major fundamental difference in the Doctrine taught by the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is that we believe that God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ and The Holy Ghost are all separate personages; yet one in purpose.

I think that this chapter in the New Testament perfectly illustrates that they ARE separate beings.

Joseph Smith also had a vision. You can read about his vision {HERE}.

 I saw a pillar of ^clight exactly over my head, above the brightness of the ^dsun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me.

When the light rested upon me I^bsaw two ^cPersonages, whose brightness and ^dglory defy all description, ^estanding above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My^fBeloved ^gSon. Hear Him!

The prophet Joseph Smith also saw both God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. Here I have shared two witnesses of God and Jesus standing side by side; Distinctly different beings.

The Prophet Joseph smith also brought forth and translated The Book Of Mormon which you can read {HERE}. 

I feel so blessed and grateful that I have this knowledge. I am so grateful for my testimony of  a loving Heavenly Father, his Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost.

I feel that by understanding their true nature, I am able to know them more fully and exercise faith in them more strongly.

~~~~~~~~~~

I also wanted to include a video of Scott {my super cute and awesome husband...oh, and talented too} playing his violin at a fireside last night. The camera was discretely sat on my lap so ignore the blurriness.


Scott Peterson on the Violin from Erin Peteson on Vimeo.

Hope you enjoyed it. I have a love for violin music. It cuts me to the core!!!