Come Unto Christ and Be Perfected in Him Moroni 10
Moroni's invitation to come unto Christ and be perfected in Him is such a beautiful way to end the Book of Mormon! I have been thinking this week a lot about the words of Moroni in this closing chapter, and all of the wonderful messages he has for us.
One of the biggest thoughts I had this week was about spiritual gifts.
Looking for our own spiritual gifts
When we read in the scriptures about spiritual gifts, it usually involves the same several gifts, like the gift of tongues, or the gift of faith. The gift to heal or be healed, or the gift of wisdom or of knowledge.
But the truth is, the list of spiritual gifts is long, and I'm not sure anyone would be able to list them all. But it is up to us to not only find and use the spiritual gifts we have, but to also discover the gifts we'd like to have and pray for Heavenly Father to give them to us.
I have been thinking a lot about friends and family this week, and some of the gifts that they have that might not be apparent at first, but I truly believe they are great gifts.
One of these friends in my friend, Wendy. She has a couple of gifts that I am working hard to develop. One is the gift of kindness. I have never heard her speak a harsh or unkind word about anyone. She sees and expects the best of everyone, and even though I know there are times she has felt disappointed, she doesn't let those moments bring her to a place where she in unkind. I think that is a true gift.
Another friend I'd like to mention is Kristal. She has the gift of being able to listen. She doesn't just listen, she absorbs what you say, and it is so clear that she isn't just passively listening, she is taking in your words and understanding you. I love that gift. Sadly, I think I have the gift of talking too much, and I could really hone my listening gift a lot.
Another person I have thought a lot about this week is my aunt. She truly has the gift of love. If you cry, she will cry with you. If you need the shirt off her own back, she will give it. She truly loves everyone, and her love is so evident whenever you are around her.
What are my gifts?
Thinking about my friends and family led me to start thinking about myself. I think I spend a lot of time concentrating on the gifts I am lacking, rather than focusing on the gifts I have.
So this week I have tried making a list in my journal, listing those gifts that I feel I have, reflecting on how I am using them, and what I could do better. Thinking about my friends has also made me think about some of the gifts I would like to have, and I've been making a list of those too.
The gift of testimony
One of the gifts that I have been seeking this whole year as we study the Book of Mormon is to gain the strong testimony of it's truthfulness. I have always known of Moroni's promise, and I have prayed to know the Book of Mormon is true in the past, but this year was different.
I wanted to develop the unshakable gift of knowing beyond all doubt that it is true. To know, completely and thoroughly, to a point that I could never deny it. Not merely a casual, passing, belief that it is true, but that deep, all the way to your core knowledge.
The Come Follow Me program, with the weekly lessons, the studying that I have done, the journals that I have kept, all of them have given me that.
As I finish the Book of Mormon this week, I can firmly and with unshakable knowledge, look anyone right in the eye and say to them,
I know the Book of Mormon is true. I know that it contains the word of God. And because I know the Book of Mormon is true, I can follow it's teachings and know my Savior and follow Him. And He will never leave me.
This is my firm testimony. And it truly is a remarkable gift to have.
I hope that this year's study of the Book of Mormon and the Come Follow Me lessons have led you to this same place and this same knowledge. At this special time of year as we celebrate the Savior's birth, it is a beautiful gift.
Have a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year! I'll be back in the new year as we start to study the Doctrine and Covenants!
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Getting ready for next year's Come Follow Me? Check out my printables that go along with next year's manual here: Doctrine & Covenants Workbooks, Journals and Planners
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This week's Challenge Cards and links
If you haven't had a chance to grab the challenge cards before, I hope you will take this opportunity to start! There are two sheets--one for kids and one for youth and adults. Each sheet contains six activities, so you can use one for each day to enhance your weekly study. Below are the links to some of those activities.
Moroni Invites All to Come Unto Christ
Testimony of the Book of Mormon
Receiving a Testimony of Light and Truth
The Angel Moroni and the Gold Plates
The Promise of the Book of Mormon