Choice & Accountability #4

Read about repentance in Isaiah 1:18; Alma 26:22; 34:30-35; Moroni 8:25-26; and Doctrine and Covenants 19:15-20; 58:42-43. Record in your journal what repentance means to you. Study the process of repentance, pray for guidance, and apply the principles of repentance in your life.


Isaiah 1:18
"though you sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow"


Alma 26:22
"Yea, he that repenteth‍ and exerciseth faith, and bringeth forth good works, and prayeth continually without ceasing—unto such it is given to know the mysteries of God; yea, unto such it shall be given to reveal‍ things which never have been revealed; yea, and it shall be given unto such to bring thousands of souls to repentance, even as it has been given unto us to bring these our brethren to repentance."


Alma 34:30-35
"...come forth and bring fruit‍ unto repentance."


"Yea, I would that ye would come forth and harden‍ not your hearts any longer; for behold, now is the time and the day‍ of your salvation; and therefore, if ye will repent and harden‍ not your hearts, immediately shall the great plan of redemption be brought about unto you."


"I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance‍ until the end."


"that same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world."


Moroni 8:25-26
"the remission of sins bringeth meekness, and lowliness of heart; and because of meekness and lowliness of heart cometh the visitation of the Holy Ghost, which Comforter filleth‍ with hope and perfect love, which love endureth by diligence unto prayer..."


D&C 19:15-20
"For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent"
"I command you again to repent, lest I humble you with my almighty power; and that you confess your sins, lest you suffer these punishments of which I have spoken..."


D&C 58:42-43
"Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more."

I love Isaiah 1:18 because the analogy of sin being red and repentance turning them white shows how we can be cleansed spiritually.  Sin weighs us down, makes us feel burdened, and hampers our ability to feel the spirit.  When we go through the proper steps of repentance- covenanting to not do it again, making restitution, studying, and forgiving ourselves- we can feel those burdens being lifted and the return of the Holy Ghost.  The time to repent is NOW.  If we don't repent now, the same spirit carries with us when we die.

Choice & Accountability #6

Study the Young Women theme and what it teaches you about who you are, what you are to do, and why you are to do it.  List in your journal what you will do each day with regard to modesty, dating, and the media to be morally clean and worthy to enter the temple.  Record in your journal how these choices will help you remain free and happy.

I will make sure that my clothing always covers my garments.  My dress will always be appropriate for the situation and reflect my feelings about myself.  In regards to dating, I will make time to "date" and court my husband, so that we remember our love and commitment to each other.  I need to be MUCH more selective about the shoes I watch and the music I listen to.  Remember... would I watch/listen to this if the Savior were here?

What I make righteous choices in my daily life, I will be better able to feel the Holy Ghost.  By having the spirit with me I will be an example to others.  I will be a more patient and kind mother, wife, and teacher.  I know I will receive more blessings.

Knowledge #3

Memorize Article of Faith number thirteen and recite it to a parent, a leader, or another adult. Then visit a museum or exhibit or attend a performance that involves dance, music, speech, or drama. Using this article of faith as a guide, evaluate what you saw and heard. In your journal write your thoughts about how you can use this article of faith as a guide for all you do so the Holy Ghost will be your constant companion. Share those thoughts with a parent or leader.

Memorizing was the easy part, because I already had it memorized from when I was in Primary.  So thanks to my Merrie Miss teacher and the primary song, memorizing it in my old age doesn't have to happen. :)

I recently attended a So You Think You Can Dance show.  It was a lot of fun, and I really enjoyed the dancing and music.  It always amazes me the power that music and dance can have over me.  This shows me how carefully I must choose what I watch and listen to.  If I want the Holy Ghost to dwell with me, I need to make sure that I am only listening to and watching things that are "virtous, lovely, or of good report or praisworthy."

As I evaluate the show, I saw some good things and some not so good things.  I felt like some of the music was appropriate and clean.  I noticed that during these songs I felt emotions that made me feel happy.  There were a few songs that were somewhat sexual in nature that pushed the spirit away.  The dancing often reflected the music.  The clean songs tended to have appropriate dancing, while the songs that were dirty had inappropriate dancing.  Most of the costumes were not modest.  It seems that showing stomachs, shoulders, and cleavage has become appropriate in the dance world.  I would love to see costumes that covered them up a bit more.  Overall, I felt like the show was something that would invite the spirit.

Virtue #2

Virtuous living “at all times and in all things, and in all places” qualifies you for the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. When you are baptized and confirmed, you are given the gift of the Holy Ghost to guide all aspects of your life. Since the Holy Ghost does not dwell in unclean tabernacles, living a virtuous life is a prerequisite to having the companionship of the Holy Ghost and receiving the blessings of temple ordinances. Read the following scripture references and identify the promised blessings:

John 14:26–27
The Holy Ghost will teach you all things, help you remember things, and give us peace.

John 15:26
The Spirit can testify of trusth and Jesus Christ.

2 Nephi 32:1–5
The Holy Ghost can give us the ability to speak with the tongues of angels and show us the things we should do.

D&C 45:57–59
The Spirit can guide us.  We will inherit the Earth and dwell with the Lord if we are worthy to have the Holy Ghost with us.

D&C 88:3–4
We are promised eternal life and another comforter.

D&C 121:45–46
Confidence, understanding of doctrine, and the Holy Ghost's companionship are promised to us.

In your journal record what you have learned, and write about a time when you felt the guidance of the Holy Ghost.


The Holy Ghost is given to all baptized members of the church. As long as we are worthy, we can have it with use all the time. The Holy Ghost can comfort, guide, teach, and give us our testimony.

Last August (2010) I was on the Stake Relief Society temple trip.  I was sitting in the Celestial Room pondering on the theme for Girl's Camp.  The thought came into my head to look in D&C 88.  This section contains information on knowledge and wisdom.  I used this as our scripture for camp and based a lot of our activities and firesides on the ideas from these scriptures.

Knowledge #2

In your journal list talents you have and others you would like to develop. Read Matthew 25:14–30. Learn a new skill or talent that will help you care for your own future family or home (for example, playing the piano, singing, budgeting, time management, cooking, sewing, or child care). Share with your family, class, or Young Women leader what you have learned.

My talents...

• teaching
• organization
• gentle heart
• easy acceptance of gospel truths
• music & singing
• working with children
• easily obey commandments
• teaching step aerobics
• leadership
• literature
• paper crafts
• decorating

Talents I'd like to develop...

• playing the piano
• sewing
• budgeting money
• being a good listener
• strengthening friendships
• being a peacemaker
• teaching Zumba

I am going to have Ryan teach me how to use Microsoft Money and understand how are bills are paid on line and how we budget our finances.
Thoughts on Matthew 25:14-30



Heavenly Father has given us all talents. When we use them, develop them, or increases them we are blessed. When we hide them, don't practice, or fail to acknowledge them we lose them. This causes us to deny ourselves some of Heavenly Father's blessings.
I need to read my patriarchal blessing and make sure I am using and developing all of my talents. I can also find others to pursue and practice to make myself a better servant to the Lord.

Knowledge #1

Learn about the importance of gaining knowledge by reading Proverbs 1:5; 4:7; 2 Nephi 28:30; and Doctrine and Covenants 88:78–80, 118; 90:15; 130:18–19; 131:6. Think about why you need to gain knowledge and understanding about how to apply gospel principles to your present and future home and family life. Write in your journal what you have learned about knowledge, and discuss it with a family member or Young Women leader.

Proverbs 1:5
If I listen I will become wise, and if I try to attain wise council I will begin to understand.

Proverbs 4:7
Seek for wisdom and understanding.

2 Nephi 28:30

• He will teach us line up line and precept upon precept.
• We will be blessed if we follow the things that we have learned.
• The more we receive and follow, the more we will be given.

D&C 88:78-90, 118

• If we teach others the things we know we will be more instructed in principle, doctrine, and the law of the gospel.
• If we seek for knowledge we will be given the ability to understand all things about the earth, heavens, nations, and our own homes.
• Our knowledge will help up be prepared to serve and magnify our callings.
• Use the scriptures and other church materials to teach each other and study.

D&C 90:15
Be familiar with the scriptures by studying them.

D&C 130:18
The things that we learn in this life will carry with us after we die.  We will have advantages in the next life if we know more.

D&C 131:6
We can not claim "ignorance."

Choice and Accountability #3

Agency, or the ability to choose, is one of God’s greatest gifts to His children. Read about agency in Joshua 24:15; 2 Nephi 2; and Doctrine and Covenants 82:2–10. With a parent or leader, discuss the blessings and responsibilities of agency. Record in your journal your understanding of agency and the consequences of choices and actions.

Joshua 24:15- "Choose you this day whom you will serve... but for me and my house we will serve the Lord."

2 Nephi 2-

• Men are instructed that they know good from evil.
• Redemption comenth in and through the Holy Messiah.
• All men will be judged according to their knowledge.
• Their must be opposition in all things in order for us to experience pain and joy.
• We are enticed by one things or another to give us the opportunity to choose.
• Because Satain is miserable, he wants us to be miserable.
• We are free to choose liberty and eternal life or captivity and death.

Doctrine and Covenants 82:2-10-

• Refrain from sin lest sore judgements fall upon your heads.
• Unto whom much is given, much is required.
• When we do what he says, he is bound. When we do not what he says we have no promise.

Agency is the power to choose what we do with the choices that are placed before us.  I know that we are all given agency in this life.  It is through the choices that we make, based on our own understandings, that will determine the way we are judged when we stand before God.  I know that when I do the things that he Lord has asked of me he is bound to give me the blessings he has promised.  I also know that righteous choices bring us peace of mind and happiness of heart.  When we choose incorrectly we are punished in two ways.  One is through natural consequences and the other is by the loss of the spirit.  I also know that Satan desires for us all to feel the way he does.  He makes things that are wrong seem fun and enticing, but I know that they only bring momentary pleasure.  By falling into these traps we feel burden by our sins. I think has an adult sometimes are choices are smaller, but just as important.  We must make sure we read our scriptures, take time to pray, and serve others.  These are daily choices that make a big difference in our ability to choose when other situations are presented to us.