In church I have been in Young Women's for the last 2 and 1/2 years or so and I have been wanting to do personal progress again. (It has changed so much since I did my Personal Progress over 15 years ago.) I have started a few of the value experiences, but haven't finished many of them. A lot of the Value Experiences require a journal entry and I am going to use this blog to write some of my entries. (This is really the only journal I am keeping at this time.)
Faith Value Experience #1: "Faith is the first principle of the gospel. I had to read scriptures and 2 conference talks and follow the pattern of prayer for 3 weeks, then write in my journal about my experience with faith. "
I read 2 conference talks and one I read was given by Elder Scott in the October 2010 Conference called, "The Transforming Power of Faith and Character". This talk was phenomenal. I sometimes struggle with catching all of the substance of the talks when listening to them, but I read it last night and I really enjoyed it and found some really great quotes. "True faith, faith unto salvation, is centered not he Lord Jesus Christ, Faith in His Doctrines and Teachings, faith in the prophetic guidance of the Lord's anointed, faith in the capacity to discover hidden characteristics and traits that can transform life. Truly, faith in the Savior is a principle of action and power."
True and pure faith is centered on our Savior. This faith can mold my character into what I need to be and to become. Elder Scott also said, "We become what we want to be by consistently being what we want to become each day...A consistent righteous life produces an inner power and strength that can be permanently resistant to the eroding influence of sin and transgression" If I live a life that is righteous, my faith, ergo, my power with increase. I will become stronger.
These last few months have stretched and strengthened my faith. Part of the Value Experience was to have consistent prayer. I am not always great with my morning prayers and will often get couple and family prayer in, but forget my personal prayer. I have had a few good prayers though that I feel I have been able to bring the Spirit into my heart and my home. Llyr has recently started his job with Ameriben, but it was not an easy road to reach. We spent a lot of time praying for guidance and direction with this step in our lives. I also have been praying a lot for my family, in particular my family. Dad's diagnosis has been confirmed, as of early last month and I know that mom and dad are trying to figure out the best way to adjust to Dad's condition. Our little family has said a lot of prayers for them. I am not sure if those prayers have helped dad have better days or not, or if they have helped mom make it through her stresses, but I know that those prayers have increased my faith in my Savior and in the Plan of Happiness. It is real now, whereas before it was only a true 'concept'. My faith and hope for the future and the world's to come has truly become more.
