This week:
Faith #1--already completed:
The first principle of the gospel is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Learn about faith from the scriptures and living prophets. Read Hebrews 11; Alma 32:17–43; Ether 12:6–22; and Joseph Smith—History 1:11–20. Read two general conference talks on faith. Exercise your own faith by establishing a habit of prayer in your life. Begin by regularly saying your morning and evening prayers. After three weeks of following this pattern, discuss with a parent or leader what you have learned about faith and how daily personal prayer has strengthened your faith. In your journal express your feelings about faith and prayer.My journal:
"Faith is the converter. Faith is the teacher."--President Hinckley.
Faith really is what starts everything! Faith is the foundation of this church. Without faith, Joseph Smith would not have done what he did to found this church.
Saying my morning prayers has been a great experience that I hope to continue! I love starting out the day with prayer. I think it helps me to get on the right foot, and helps me to feel good about my day. It is just a little thing that goes a LONG way!
Fait
Faith # 4--already completed:
Learn more about the sacrament. Read about the Last Supper in Matthew 26:26–28; Mark 14:22–24; and Luke 22:17–20. Establish a pattern of pondering during the sacrament by listening carefully to the sacrament hymn and prayers. Think about why we partake of the bread and water. After three weeks of following this pattern, write in your journal some of the promises you make as you partake of the sacrament and remember your baptismal covenants and what you do to keep those promises. Record in your journal how your understanding of these promises has strengthened your faith in the Savior.My journal:
The Sacrament is a beautiful ordinance that we are given every week at church. It is a weekly reminder of the atonement that Christ has suffered for each and ever
Faith #7--already completed!
The Lord has commanded us to pay tithing. Read Doctrine and Covenants 119 and Malachi 3:8–12. Since obedience to the law of tithing is an evidence of your faith, pay a full tithe. After three months record in your journal how paying tithing has helped your faith grow. List blessings in your life, both large and small, that have come because of your faith in the principle of tithing.My journal:
I love tithing! It is such a great law that can be lived 100, 100 of the time. Tithing has blessed my life so much. I have been able to have the spirit to be with me at all times. It is not even a question any more; we always pay our tithing!
Choice & Accountability # 1:
A daughter of God can make wise decisions and solve problems. Read 1 Nephi 15:8; 2 Nephi 32:3; Alma 34:19–27; Ether 2–3; and Doctrine and Covenants 9:7–9. Follow a pattern of regular scripture study and prayer to receive help in making personal decisions such as choosing good friends, being kind to others, getting up on time, or other decisions. Discuss with a parent or leader how regular scripture study and prayer helped you make correct decisions.My journal:
I think it is so appropriate that I do this value experience in my last week. This summer has been such a good experience for me, in part because I have HAD to keep up with my Book of Mormon study. I have noticed that every time I read the Book of Mormon, I have such a better day than when I don't. It really is amazing what a difference it makes to my day. I have decided with this experience that I NEED to read my scriptures every day, in order to feel the spirit every day. Because I NEED the spirit every day!
Choice & Accountability #2:
Read the pamphlet For the Strength of Youth. List in your journal each standard of righteous behavior the pamphlet outlines, and record why it is important to choose to live those standards. Practice living righteous standards by choosing three standards in which you need to improve. You might choose to be more selective about television, music, books, or other media, or you might improve your modesty, language, or honesty. After three weeks share your progress with your family, your class, or a leader.My journal:
Agency--I think that is where choice & accountability fits in. We have our agency, but with making our own choices, we also make our own consequences.
Dating--Don't date until you are 16, and then go on group dates. This is such great counsel and so much safer!
Dress and appearance--Dress modestly. Be appropriate so that if Jesus came right now, you would not be embarrassed.
Education--Get one! Always!
Entertainment and Media--Be very selectful on what you watch and listen to.
Family--Love them!
Friends--Choose good ones and love them!
Gratitude--Be grateful for what you have.
Honesty and Integrity--Be honest in everything you do.
Language--Use good language.
Music and Dancing--Be appropriate.
Physical and Emotional Health--Take care of your body, because it is a gift from God.
Repentance--Oh, how wonderful it is that Christ has made a way that we can all repent of our sins!
Sabbath Day Observance--Keep the Sabbath Day holy.
Service--It makes you and the person you serve feel better, so do it!
Sexual Purity--Keep pure so that you can enter the temple.
Tithes and Offerings--It is a great law! Just 10 percent!
Work and Self Reliance--Gain a good work ethic so that you can rely on yourself.
Go Forward with Faith-- Wa-hoo!
Choice & Accountability #7:
Making choices is part of Heavenly Father’s plan for us. Read Moses 4:1–4; 7:32; and 2 Nephi 9:51. Establish a pattern of wise money management by making a budget for saving and spending your money, including the payment of tithing. Live within your budget for at least three months. Set priorities that allow you to meet your most important needs before satisfying your wants. Record in your journal what you have learned and how following these patterns will continue to bless your life.My journal:
Money management is a huge thing to learn. This summer, my husband and I have not been the best at it. But we have seen what we need to do in the future to be better money managers, and we are out of debt! Being out of debt is a wonderful thing. As we have more kids, we need to be better with our money and not let it get out of control. It will bless our lives so that someday, we can go on a mission.
Good Works #6--already completed:
Spend at least three hours giving service outside your family. Ask your ward or branch Relief Society president or a community leader for suggestions for service. For example, you might take care of children while parents attend the temple; collect, make, or recondition toys or games for a nursery; accept an assignment to clean the meetinghouse; or perform errands for or read to a homebound person or others in need. Record in your journal the reactions of the person you served and possible goals for future service opportunities.My journal:
I do service every week with the young women's organization. I plan and carry out mutual activities, clean the church, and spend time with my girls. This service has helped me grow, and helped me to know the importance of service in my life.
Integrity #1--already completed:
Integrity is the willingness and desire to live by our beliefs and standards. Read Moroni 10:30–33 and think about what it means to “deny yourselves of all ungodliness.” Read the pamphlet For the Strength of Youth. Reflect on how the Lord’s standards differ from the world’s standards. Record in your journal appropriate standards for behavior, dress, and conversation, as well as literature, movies, television, Internet, music, cell phones, and other media. Also write your plan to stay morally clean and worthy to attend the temple. After keeping your standards for at least one month, record your feelings in your journal and continue to keep your commitment.My journal:
Because I have already made temple covenants, I always strive to keep the standards. Of course, the Lord's standards are very different from the world's standards. I love that I have a reminder of my standards, the garment, that I wear every day to help me remember what to live up to.
Book of Mormon:
Ether 9- End of Moroni
Here is the last of the journal that I wrote:
I also loved the end of the book, although it was hard to read, with all the destruction. It is a little depressing to read about two entire cultures killing themselves! But I love the words of Moroni in the end, and he truly manifests of Christ. I cannot help but think that he stayed around to be able to give us the words for ordaining that he did, and also to give us the last few statements. I love the Book of Mormon!
I am done except for ONE project that needs to be completed! Hurray!
What I have learned through this journey:
- A lot of it is actually super easy. You just have to do it. If you devote one hour to it a week, it will get done in no time!
- These experiences are all meant to bring us closer to Christ, which I love. I have felt so much of His love as I have completed these.
- Most of these are things that you already do, through just living the gospel!