Daily scripture study changes lives.

Man, what a week!! We had our first group of scouts, and it was crazy! But we did it!! We had a lot of challenges, as is expected with teen boys, but we learned and grew as a staff. Next week will bring more challenges and lessons but it will be worth it!

I have really been blessed this week as I've studied my scriptures each night. I'm able to get more out of my experiences here at camp, and I am able to be more in tune with the Spirit, as well as be more determined and capable of working hard. This week I've been reading in First Nephi Chapters 1 and 2. There are a couple of things that stood out to me that I thought were profound and wanted to share. 

One thing I noticed was that in chapter one, Nephi makes a statement that he is first going to be making an abridgement of his father's record, and then he will make his record. How awesome is that? Nephi was doing family history before it was cool. I recently finished a book series by Richard Paul Evans, entitled The Walk. And there is a part in one of the books where the main character's father writes the history of his family at least three generations back. And I just thought, "how cool is that?" Family history is becoming a worldwide thing. And Nephi did it before it was cool. 

In chapter two, Nephi says that the Lord "did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father". Which means that Nephi, at one point, did not fully believe. However, unlike Laman and Lemuel, he did not harden his heart, so he was able to be converted, and believe his father's words.

I know that daily scripture study changes lives. I've seen the impact that it has on not only my life, but my friends' lives. I've seen the wonderful changes in them that it has had. I'm grateful to have so many wonderful examples of how important daily scripture study is. And I'm grateful to be blessed with so many amazing people to love and look up to. I know they love me, too, even when we're miles and miles apart.

I'm really grateful for the scriptures. I'm grateful for Joseph Smith's sacrifices to translate the Book of Mormon. I'm grateful for Mormon, and his dedication to abridging the book and making sure everything we would need is in there. I'm grateful for the pieces of truth that they hold, and for the ones that I've learned this week as I've studied them. I'm grateful for the light that they bring to my life. I'm grateful for the beauty of Bear Lake, and for my wonderful co-workers. I'm blessed each and every day by their examples, humor, service, and love. It's been a hard week but we've gotten through it together, and we all build each other up as often as we can. It's been an amazing experience and I can't believe we're going to be on week three this week!!

I'm grateful for my Father in Heaven, and for the love that He shows me each and every day. I'm grateful for the beauty of the world around me, and for the chance I have this summer to be surrounded. I'm grateful for my Savior, and for His sacrifice and love. Since it's Father's Day, I can't forget my own dad. I love him so much! I'm grateful for all that he does for me. I'm grateful for all the father figures in my life—my uncles, grandpas, and the other men in my life that I look up to. You are all wonderful examples of what real men are supposed to be like. Thank you for showing me how a man is supposed to treat the women in his life. Thank you for being willing to serve. And thank you for being willing to be soft and emotional, even when the world tells you you need to be tough and stoic.

I hope everyone is having a great summer!! Don't forget to wear sunscreen and drink water!! And remember who you are, and whose you are. God loves you very much and has many blessings in store for you. Be patient and remember that everything will work out in the end. Love you!! 💜

Xoxo
Mattie

Joseph Smith and the First Vision.

Okay, so I have the devotional in seminary on Monday, and I am going to be performing the musical number that I was going to perform for the seminary conference, but we ran out of time. So, I've been practicing, and I decided to record it the other day, and I did! Even though I'm still a little under the weather, I think it turned out nice. So it's the hymn "Joseph Smith's First Prayer" (Hymn No. 26) to the tune of the song/hymn "Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing" and I had to do just a little bit of arranging for the end of the song because the soundtrack I picked (done by Chris Rice) had a different ending, so I had to arrange the last two verses to combine them. I really had a wonderful time with this project, and I'm so excited to be performing it on Monday! I really am so grateful for Joseph Smith, who had the courage to ask God a question, and who had the courage to stand up for what he believed and knew was right. Please enjoy the song and video here. Here are the words and lyrics that I arranged:

Joseph Smith's First Prayer:

1. Oh, how lovely was the morning!

Radiant beamed the sun above.

Bees were humming, sweet birds singing,

Music ringing thru the grove,

When within the shady woodland

Joseph sought the God of love,

When within the shady woodland

Joseph sought the God of love.

2. Humbly kneeling, sweet appealing–

T'was the boy's first uttered prayer–

When the pow'rs of sin assailing

Filled his soul with deep despair;

But undaunted, still he trusted

In his Heav'nly Father's care;

But undaunted, still he trusted

In his Heav'nly Father's care.

3. Suddenly a light descended,

Brighter far than noonday sun,

"Joseph, this is my Beloved;

Hear him!" Oh, how sweet the word!

Oh, what rapture filled his bosom,

For he saw the living God;

(interlude)

Oh, what rapture filled his bosom,

For he saw the living God.

(interlude)

Oh, how lovely was the morning! For he saw the living God.

I just love this hymn and this arrangement because it's so pretty. Joseph had a question about which church he should join, and he went to God for an answer. He was only fourteen years old, but he really, really wanted to know which church he should join, so he went into a grove to pray and "ask of God" (King James Bible, James 1:5). He then received what we as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints call The First Vision. I know that Joseph Smith saw God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. I know that Joseph was the first Latter-day prophet. I know that Thomas S. Monson is our prophet today and that he speaks to us from Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I know that this church is true. I know that Jesus Christ lives, and I know that He loves us. I know that He sends us tender mercies, and I know that preparing this song to sing for my seminary class has really helped me gain a better testimony of Joseph Smith. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.