Nooooo!

I don't want to go to the 5th ward!! Whyyy?
The Young Women's president started to call us already!
It won't be the same!
And I still have Brittany's sleeping bag! She moved!
So many problems! And I need people to help me solve them! Guess I can't go to the other ward now :D

Finding Joy in the Journey

For everyone who doesn't know, my family and I are moving to Arizona on August 1st. I was very excited and very upset when I heard the news. As I was sitting in bed last night, I burst out crying. I was really upset to be moving away from the great ward, and my amazing friends and leaders, so I knelt down and said a prayer. I asked Heavenly Father to please help me to find Joy in the Journey, which is what we talked about all of Youth Confernce. After my prayer, I was able to calm down, and fall asleep. Now, I think I'm ok about moving. I'm still pretty sad, but now I know that I'll be alright.

I'm very greatful for the gift of prayer. I am thankful for my great ward. Thank you for all that you do for me! I love you guys!

Brittany Roberts :]

Love is all you need :)

1 Nephi 21:16 - Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.

I read that a few nights ago on a particular night that I felt slightly forgotten by the Lord. But I know that when we feel that way, it is always we who forget our Savior, not the other way around.

Anyone who reads this, I challenge you to pray tonight to feel God's love. It doesn't matter if you're in good times or bad, you need to remember how precious you are. It will make all the difference in the world. He will do anything within the bounds of His great plan to make you feel His love.

I love you all, thanks for being in my life!

2 Nephi 13:13

"The Lord standeth up to plead, and standeth to judge the people."

I liked this scripture because it tells us that the Lord will give us due justice according to our sins, and at the same time he will pour his unfathomable love upon us to plead for us, as our mediators. That gives me and anyone else hope in hard times; as long as we are trying our best to follow Christ and are repenting when we do something wrong, we can look forward to living in exaltation.

A friend told me the other day that life was pointless. It made me really sad that she would say that when we have so much ahead of us. So much happiness. As long as we keep our faith in Christ and his gospel strong, we can live happily in this life and the next. ^_^
--Jette

1 Nephi 17:3

Tonight my mom and I were reading the Book of Mormon and this scripture really reminded me of what we learned in church today. I thought I'd share.

"And thus we see that the commandments of God must be fulfilled. And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them; wherefore, he did provide means for us while we did sojourn in the wilderness."

This one also reminded me of the lesson. 1 Nephi 17:13

"And I will also be your light in the wilderness; and I will prepare the way before you, if it so be that ye shall keep my commandments; wherefore, inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall be led towards the promised land; and ye shall know that it is by me that ye are led."

That was a great lesson that I will remember forever

Nephi's Example

As I have been reading the past week I kept thinking about the example Nephi has set of showing faith. When Lehi recounts his vision of the tree of life Nephi was "desirous also that I might see." He knew that the Lord could show him all the things his father saw through the power of the Holy Ghost. As Nephi pondered the words his father spoke he was taken to a high mountian and asked by a spirit what was his desire? He told the spirit he wanted to see the things that his father Lehi had seen and that he believed the words spoken by his father. The spirit told him to look and Nephi was able to see all that his father saw.

I am so impressed by Nephi! When he wanted to learn more and was seeking to understand the words of his father he did what Heavenly Father has asked us to do study, ponder,and ask. Nephi showed his faith by doing. Because Nephi follow the counsel of Heavenly Father he was able to recieve the answers to his questions.

After Nephi is shown the vision he returns to his tent and finds his brothers fighting. He asks his brothers why they are arguing? They tell him that they are fighting because they do not understand the words that there father had spoken. Nephi asks them if they had prayed or asked the Lord? They replied,"We have not; for the Lord maketh no such things known unto us."

Nephi took the time to ask and know for himself that the words spoken by Lehi were true and was able to see for himself the vision. His brothers never took the time to ask and they did not understand the words spoken by Lehi.

As I read this I was reminded how important it is to study the scriptures and current conference talks. To follow the example shown by Nephi to study and ponder the word of God and then pray and ask for the Holy Ghost to confirm to me that what I am reading is true. Then I can know for myself that what is said is the will of Heavenly Father.

Great and Spacious Building

Hi y'all! So I read the story of Lehi's vision of the tree of life a few days ago and I've been thinking about it ever since. Mostly about the great and spacious building with the beautiful and happy people in it. I have been thinking back to all the times in my life when people have laughed at my religion or mocked my standards.

Like this one time some friends were having a discussion on facebook about gay marriage. A few non-member friends chimed in with some cutting criticism of the church and how "intolerant" we are. After that comment nobody posted anything on the subject for a couple days . Finally, I felt like I had to say something in defense of our prophet and God's teachings, no matter how much I'd probably be ridiculed. So I wrote a few paragraphs explaining why I believe in what the church teaches and my understanding of freedom. My non-member friends never responded.

Lesson learned: don't be bullied or intimidated into hiding or being ashamed of your beliefs. The happiness in the great and spacious building is hollow and short-lived. The joy found at the tree is so exquisite, not even Lehi could really describe it. Which happiness are you seeking?

1 Nephi 3:7

When I was reading last night, this scripture really stood out to me. It talks about how sometimes, Heavenly Father will ask us to do something that may seem impossible, but when he tells you to do it, it means he's already got the whole task mapped out for you. My dad said once that the Lord wouldn't ask you to do something that he wouldn't do.

1 Nephi 3:7 reads:

"And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commanded them."

-Brittany R :]

Our Goal

Just a reminder, we are challenging all our young women to read two pages of the Book of Mormon every single day (your leaders will be doing it with you). The more consistent you are the more the Lord will speak to you through those pages. It starts tonight! Sunday, April, 26th in first Nephi. Please post your thoughts and feelings about what you read, or if something just hits you that you really like.

Thanks for taking on this challenge. I speak for all your leaders when I say our responsibility to help you gain testimonies weighs heavy on our minds. Please come to us with any concerns or roadblocks you run into. We are always here to help! We love you girls so much!!!

(P.S. you need to follow the link I emailed to you and make a google account with your same old email address - if you don't have one already. Once you do that you just go to the blog's website and click on "Sign In" in the top right corner. Then you click on "New Post" at the top right to start leaving entries like Jette's. Thanks!)

I just wanted to say...

Mormon 7:7 is one of my favorite scriptures because it motivates me to be better and try my best in all I do so I can have that kind of happiness-- the one that has no end! Ahh, that'd be nice to have someday :)

"And he hath brought to pass the redemption of the world, whereby he that is found guitless before him at the judgement day hath it given unto him to dwell in the presence of God in his kingdom, to sing ceaseless praises with the choirs above, unto the Father, and unto the Son, and unto the Holy Ghost, which are one God, in a state of happiness which hath no end."

--Jette

Welcome to the Lovely Ladies of Jordan Willows 1st Ward!!

I'm so glad you decided to visit the "Desire to Believe" blog. Just the fact that you're reading this proves that something inside you wants to believe. Alma 32 tells us that this desire is a great start to an unbelievable journey.

Your mission is to let that desire work in you by experimenting upon the words that Heavenly Father prepared for you and your life. As you begin your study I want you to remember what you are holding when you take the Book of Mormon in your hands. (Go ahead, pick them up now and then keep reading...) This book is the most tangible evidence that God loves you. As you thoughtfully and prayerfully read the words contained in this book, His all-powerful love will begin to wrap around your heart until you cannot deny His devotion to you any longer.

Ladies, I want you to know the most tender feelings of my heart... Nothing has changed my life more, brought me more joy, or taught me so much as the Book of Mormon. Once you begin the "experiment" you will never be the same. You may not receive earth-shattering revelation every time you open the Book of Mormon, but if you stay consistent, God will speak to you through those pages. Test it out. Try it. See.

This blog is your outlet for any thoughts, questions, or feelings you may have as you take this journey through the scriptures.