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The fifth chapter of Alma is my favorite single chapter of the Book of Mormon, and verse 26 is among my favorite verses in the chapter. This one verse summarizes the whole of Alma's powerful sermon —

• the change of heart required of Jesus' disciples,
• the redemptive power of His Atonement to "[take] us as we are — and [make] us more than we ever imagined" (Neill F. Marriott, "Yielding Our Hearts to God," October 2015), and
• the importance of remembering "because remembering with thanks is what causes us to trust — to really believe" (Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts Devotional: Reflections on Finding Everyday Graces, Zondervan, 2012).

A Joyful Day

This morning I woke up in a gorgeous mountain setting. The beautiful blue sky held the promise of goodness, and the glorious sunshine invited joy. Almost immediately the words of Psalm 118:24 came to mind, and I was glad.

Like Martha, I often find myself "careful and troubled about many things" (Luke 10:41). Recently, as I sat on the edge of my bed early in the morning and worried about the day ahead, the admonition consider the lilies came into my mind.

This simple phrase was a powerful reminder that my Father is mindful of my needs.

He knows my anxious heart.

He is aware of my struggles.

And He will provide.

As Jesus taught, "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom" (Luke 12:32).

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"And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage.

"And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions."

-Mosiah 24:13-14

‪#‎BecauseOfHim‬ ‪#‎Hallelujah‬ ‪#‎Ponderize‬

Living Water

I love these words of the prophet Isaiah!
Brigham City Temple, 2012.

"O Lord, I have trusted in thee,
and I will trust in thee forever.
I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh;
for I know that cursed is he that putteth
his trust in the arm of flesh.
Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust
in man or maketh flesh his arm"
(2 Nephi 4:34).

God Blesses Us Abundantly

D&C 78:17-18 Perspective

Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee

Mark 6:31-32 #SpiritualWhitespace

"Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith" (Hebrews 12:1-2).