Section 42

Okay so I tackled this long chapter in a 3 day reading half because of the length and half because of being too busy and tired to focus. There is just so much information packed into this chapter I'm barely going to mention any of it! The laws, commandments, and guidance given throughout the chapter I have known all my life because I grew up in the church, but knowing them doesn't always mean I am consistent in following them. 

The first and most important commandment The Lord gives us is to go forth and spread the gospel (v4-5). All the other commandments have been around for a while and some are even included in the laws of most nations. What's interesting is that if a member of the church breaks a law, this sections says they should be punished according to the laws of the land (v84-87). The commandments that aren't laws of the world are dealt with by church elders who have authority from God (such as adultery in v80-83). 

I love my life. There is nothing in my past that hasn't helped me become who I am today. I now know my weaknesses that lead me to sin. I now know the reality of the atonement of Jesus Christ and the importance of constantly keeping Him in my life for strength. Even if I wish I didn't have to make the mistakes in my past, I know that they were part of God's plan for me to gain knowledge, experience, faith, and to be humbled.

This last weekend, I attended a YSA conference and was blessed with this amazing peace of mind on a topic that has plagued me for months. I am truly blessed for the friends in my life, the speakers and organizers of the conference, and the power of Christ to bring that peace into my heart. I wouldn't take back going for a million dollars even though I was so sick throughout  the conference and emotionally distraught the first half. 

My testimony of the power of God has been strengthened as well as the love I have for Him. I am fully committed to serving and following all commandments of God because of the love I have for Him (v29). I am confident in my faith in Christ to heal me from my sickness from this weekend so when I got a blessing from my father I was so relieved.