Congratulations to Blondine & Mimi in completing their Personal Progress and receiving their Young Women's Medallions. Wear 'em proud.
18 hours ago
Evening of Excellence
How I read the Book of Mormon in 40 days
When our Stake President gave us a Book of Mormon Challenge during Stake Conference in August I decided it was something I really needed to do. When we talk about being diligent in our reading of the scriptures we often talk about the need to establish scripture study as a habit. That is the first step. The second step is to ensure that the "habit" doesn't turn into a "rut". For the last several years I've struggled with my own personal scripture study like probably 99% of members out there. When I have been consistent in my scripture study it has been one chapter a day, chronological order, until it is done. Repeat. So the Book of Mormon Challenge presented a way to change things up a little.
As I looked at the schedule it appeared that on average I would need to read about 3 chapters a day to finish it before the end of the year. That was a few more than I was used to. Plus I started about 2 weeks late because I wanted to first finish up what I was currently studying before I picked up the Challenge. So I had some catching up to do.
For the last several years I have turned almost exclusively from printed books to audio books for my recreational reading. With my busy schedule I've found that listening to audio books while driving, walking, exercising, cleaning, etc is a good way to take care of two things at once. I hadn't really considered doing the same for the scriptures until this Book of Mormon Challenge came up. I decided I would tackle the challenge with a combination of reading directly from the Book of Mormon and having KSL-TV News Anchor Bruce Lindsay read it to me on my iPhone (You can download the audio version of all the standard works from LDS.org).
When I saw how quickly I was getting through chapters and books that during other readings of this Book had bogged me down indefinitely, I was encouraged. The inertia of reading kept me going quickly from chapter to chapter and book to book. I was filling every spare moment throughout each day with the word of God. It many ways it was flying by so quickly that the words and concepts became a bit of a blur. Never the less, going so quickly though the Book of Mormon got me out of my scriptural "rut" and though it didn't give me time to ponder and consider powerful individual phrases, it did allow me to ponder and consider larger themes that spread the breadth and width of the book.
I've never read the Book of Mormon in such a quick clip - and I could have gotten through it even quicker if it wasn't for Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol which distracted my reading of the Book of Mormon slightly (curse you Dan Brown and your "page-turning", "can't put this book down" formula). The challenge worked though. I was inspired. My days were filled with the Spirit that reading the scriptures brings. And it has left me wanting more . . . I'm currently a quarter of the way through the Doctrine and Covenants.
Ft. Lauderdale Temple!
What a great way to start out a Conference Weekend - the promise of a Temple right here in South Florida. I had to work this morning so I missed the announcement by President Monson. I instead found out by answering the phone and hearing Sharon crying on the other end. At first I was scared. Then she managed to get it out. . . "Ft. Lauderdale's getting a temple. . ." I sat there in my office overwhelmed with the spirit. Twenty minutes later I was still feeling it.
A temple feels like acknowledgment from the LORD that the work is progressing, that the worthiness and diligence of the members in this area is increasing, that our efforts are being rewarded, that our prayers have been heard and answered.
Now that the promise has been given, we have much to do to prepare. . .
Book of Mormon Challenge
In Stake Conference last week President Benzion issued a challenge to start that day reading the Book of Mormon with the goal of finishing the entire book by December 31st. Here is a proposed schedule to follow to make sure you are on track (you can either use a magnifying glass to read it, or just click on it for a larger chart):
If you are following along at home you should be finished with 1st Nephi about now. If you haven't started yet then don't worry, it is not too late. Just add an extra chapter in each day and in a few weeks you'll be right back on track. Set the goal and do it! If for nothing else do it just to prove to yourself that you can. Plus, that part of your brain that stores all the information related to spirituality will be happy (as will your spirit for that matter). Plus I hear that Pres. Benzion is going to give treats to everyone that finishes it. As for me, I hope it is an Almond Joy - that is my favorite candy bar right now.
New Schedule
Just a reminder - tomorrow we begin our new schedule.
Sunday Meeting Schedule:
Priesthood & Relief Society - 10:20 - 11:05am
Sunday School - 11:15 - 12noon
Sacrament - 12:10 - 1:20pm
As we will be overlapping with the North Miami Beach ward to combine youth and primary classes, most of our classrooms will also be changing (it will feel like the first day of school - wandering around trying to find your classes). Don't worry though after a week or two we'll all get used to the new schedule, the new classrooms, and the lack of elbow room.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
