"O be wise; what can I say more?" (Jacob 6:12)

Someone had the great idea to post something they are grateful for until Thanksgiving. I am going to a variation on this. I will post a scripture I am thankful/grateful for everyday until Thanksgiving.

Day #1:
My first scripture is: "O be wise; what can I say more" (Jacob 6:12).

I have always loved this short verse. I am grateful for the simple yet powerful truth it teaches. I have always tried to teach our children to "make good choices", and I feel like this verse says it perfectly. 

I am grateful for the scriptures and the power they bring into my life. #Ilovetoreadthescriptures

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me". (Philippians 4:13)

I got a new electronic device for Christmas that is amazing. It is called a "Kindle". It is this device that can hold books that are down loaded electronically and can hold many books at once. It can also surf the internet and I can shop for more books online. It also contains a dictionary (I love looking up definitions!). I was, and still am amazed at these electronic devices that give me instant information with a click of a button partly because I grew up in a home with no TV, and no computer; yes, we had a radio- I am not that old; I am only 42. Things have significantly changed since I was a kid. Information at the touch of a button is...good and must be used for good. 

I believe most things are invented with the intent to do good. I like to believe that people are and have the desire to do good and be good because we are all sons and daughters of God (see Acts 17:28-29). But we are sent here to be tempted and tried and allowed to choose for ourselves whether we will "know good from evil"; and God has given to us that we "might choose life or death" (Helaman 14:31). We get to choose whether or not we want a spiritual life or live spiritually dead lives and have no relationship with our Father in Heaven. We choose whether or not we connect to the "internet" of heaven. This takes an effort on our part. We must open the door and let Him in (see Revelations 3:20). We must also have a "good connection". And in order to have a good connection, we must make good choices.

When I got my Kindle I had to hook up to the internet. It wasn't done for me. I had to choose to do it. I also get to choose what kind of books I want on this device; they weren't put on there for me. It is the same with our relationship with God. He will never force us to come to Him. He will only invite us and then lets us choose whether or not we want to attend. What is so wonderful is that He will always invite us to "Come unto [Him]" (Matthew 11:28). Being invited to come to a wedding (see Matthew 22:1-10) or a "great supper" (see Luke 14:16-24) is much more delightful than being forced to go. It leaves the choice to us. And that is exactly what it is, our choice.

"Choose ye this day, whom ye will serve" (Alma 30:8; Joshua 24:15). There are so many choices to make every day; choices about what to wear, how to spend our time, what to say, how to behave, how to treat other people. We can be as Joshua of old and reply, "but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15). It is a challenge every day to make good choices. We make mistakes. "The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matthew 26:41). We waste our time, we say the wrong things, we behave badly at times, and sometimes, we treat others poorly. But we need not give up or feel all is wasted because it is not. We can make things right and look forward with hope and faith, because faith is about the future. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said, "...Remember that faith is always pointed toward the future. Faith always has to do with blessings and truths and events that will yet be efficacious in our lives" (Remember Lot's Wife). The Savior helps us with our desires to "come unto Him and partake of His goodness; and He denieth none that come unto Him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and He remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile" (2 Nephi 26:33).

We can choose to use all that is given to us for good, and connect with God every day. We can learn from our mistakes. As hard as it is for some of us to not repeat those mistakes, we can learn from them because we "have stopped rhapsodizing about 'the good old days' and now eagerly look toward the future 'that [we] may apprehend that for which Christ apprehended [us]'" (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland). We go forward with our faith in Christ, because He can do all things, and "[we] can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth [us]" (Philippians 4:13). 

Using that which is given to us, our time, talents, our money, and our education, everything...we get to choose how we will use it, for good or not. If it helps us draw closer to God it is good. "And whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do good is of me; for good cometh of none save it be of me. I am the same that leadeth men to all good" (Ether 4:12). We can look to the future, with all its electronic devices, the internet, and ‘touch of a button’ information with great hope and faith because we get to do the choosing. When we choose to follow Christ in faith, He will always lead us safely along life's path (see Alma 37:45) as we decide what information we want in our lives. This I testify.

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning" (James 1:17)

Gift giving is fun to do. I like making sure I have the perfect gift for people. This can be a good quality to have and this can be crippling to have, especially if you are a perfectionist and have a hard time making decisions. But, giving gifts is so much fun! It is delightful to see the expression on the face of the person when they receive the gift they have "always wanted" or to receive the gift that they are full of thanks and gratitude because they didn't expect it. It is a satisfying feeling to know that you have given a part of yourself.

There are a diverse amount of gifts. We talk about having "gifts", each of us individually, that we can share and express. They could also be called talents. Every one is "given a gift by the Spirit of God" (D&C 46:11). Too often we think we need to receive expensive gifts that cost money. It is nice to receive gifts that someone has purchased for us and taken the time to buy for us, but often they aren't the ones that mean the most. I know that when my children give me the "gift of labor" (see Ecclesiates 5:19) by doing their chores, or doing something they do on their own, it brings not only joy to me, but also them happiness and "rejoicing in their labor" (see Ecclesiates 5:19). This is a gift of self.

Another gift that sometimes is over looked is the gift of time. There is a "time to every purpose under the heaven" (Ecclesiastes 3:1). I am still learning to receive this gift of time. It really is a blessing. In the Lord's time wounds heal, love replaces hate and anger, we learn patience, we can learn and develop whatever virtue we may need to develop. "He [makes] every thing beautiful in his time" (Ecclesiastes 3:11). This is so true! I had very difficult pregnancies. I had hyperemesis gravidarum, which means severe vomiting. On good days, which would start about half way through my pregnancies, I would only vomit 8 times a day. On my worst day, I stopped counting at 50. Many people called me "stupid" for having done this four times (you have to have four pregnancies to have four children). But I testify to you, through this process, the Lord fulfilled His promise to "greatly multiply...[my] conception" (Moses 4:22). This means more than just having children. He wants us to understand and have to ability to plan and form ideas. We do this when we experience trials and challenges that stretch us beyond what we thought we were capable of doing. We are able to conceive and comprehend more when we are good receivers of the gifts God wants to give us. These gifts are usually not given to us on a silver platter, but their price is "more precious than of gold that perisheth" (1 Peter 1:7).

Being a good receiver is another gift we can give not only to ourselves, but also to others. "For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift? Behold, he rejoices not in that which is given unto him, neither rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift" (D&C 88:33). Children are the perfect example of how to be good receivers. I remember when our children were little and we received a new refrigerator. They played with the box for months! They were so delighted with the box! We can be as children and "receive all things with thankfulness" (D&C 78:19). This helps us be happy and filled with joy because we will be grateful for all that the Father has given us and gratitude automatically brings good feelings.

 God loves blessing us and giving us gifts. He especially wants to give us "eternal life, which is the greatest of all the gifts of God" (D&C 14:7). He wants us to receive eternal life, but as with all good gifts, we must choose to receive it (see D&C 88:32). We can only receive the gift of eternal life by receiving the gift of His commandments, by receiving the gift of the atonement and giving back through the gift of repentance. What incredible gifts and blessings that are continually available and free for us to use every day.

Heavenly Father is waiting to bless us and give us gifts every day of our lives. "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning" (James 1:17). He will never turn from us. The Lord wants us have "all that [His] Father hath" (D&C 84:38; see also John 16:15; 3 Nephi 28:10). We get to decide if we want to receive His gifts...and there are so many of them that gratefully, we can work on giving and receiving one item at a time, Christ being the best gift to give and receive because that's what the Father gave us (see John 10:29). This I testify.

"Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself...Man could not act for himself save it should be that he was entice by one or the other" (2 Nephi 2:16).

After taking care of sick children for a few days I realize what a blessing it is to have healthy children. If sickness does anything, it makes me appreciate the good that has been given to me, the blessing of good health in contrast to sickness. Opposition does give us perspective that is so needed when life is going along nicely. Opposition is a blessing and a big part of the plan of our Father in Heaven (learn more about His plan here).

There was even opposition for Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden; "It must needs be that there was an opposition; even the forbidden fruit in opposition to the tree of life; the one being sweet and the other bitter" (2 Nephi 2:15). Why would there need to be opposition? It was important that the "Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself...Man could not act for himself save it should be that he was entice by one (fruit) or the other" (2 Nephi 2:16). If man wasn't tempted and allowed to choose for himself, then he would be forced to pick rather than have a choice. Choice is a gift and this gift to choose is called agency.

How we use a gift is important. Some gifts are set on a shelf and never used again. Others, are so appreciated and used until they are worn out. Agency is a gift we get to use every day, we are "free according to the flesh...And [we] are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself" (2 Nephi 2:27, italics added). Think about it. We choose how we behave and what we think. No one is telling us that we have to think one way or another. We are free over our minds, no matter where we live, whether in the United States, in Russia, Pakistan, France, or in Mexico. We get to choose how we treat other people in the circumstances we are in, whether we are sick or healthy, in bondage or free. We also decide what we will put into our bodies and what we will put on our bodies. This is why I am always telling my children, "Make good choices", because they are the ones who are truly affecting themselves with the choices they make.

True freedom is "the power or ability to make personal choices without compulsion". When we repent and obey God's will we are spiritually "free from the bondage of sin through the atonement of Jesus Christ" (Free, Freedom The Guide to the Scriptures). "Jesus said to those Jews which believed on Him" (and He says to us now), "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:31-32). It is by doing, "continuing" in His word that we will come to know Christ, that we will have freedom, and we become truly free. Sometimes, we don't see what a blessing this freedom is and what a blessing agency is until we have opposition to help us see what a gift we truly have been given. And sometimes, we don't really know what we will choose until we have two choices in opposition before us. This is how we find out, for ourselves, who we really are. When we use our agency righteously, or to make good choices, it "allows light to dispel the darkness and enables us to live with joy and happiness" (Elder Robert D. Hales). I sure feel a lot happier when I choose to be patient and kind rather than impatient and rude when I have a choice of how to treat someone. This is dispelling darkness when we make this kind of "good choice".

Gratefully I don't have sick children every day, but unfortunately some people do have this challenge. We all have challenges and trials and burdens, not to be compared. Through these challenges we get to use our agency to choose whether or not we keep the "bitter taste" in our mouth from our challenges or learn to "know to prize the good". Because "it is given unto [us] to know good from evil; wherefore [we] are agents unto [our]selves" (Moses 6:55-56). It is our choice whether or not we will believe the words of Christ when He said, "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). And when we make good choices by following the example of Jesus Christ, we will not only know, but we will feel the truth in our hearts as we do so. (see John 13:17). This I testify.

"O taste and see that the Lord is good" (Psalms 34:8)

I made, for the first time, gluten free sweet potato muffins. They were delicious!!! I usually will make pumpkin muffins, but this morning I decided to use some of the roasted sweet potato I had frozen. They were so moist and yummy and the taste was sublime. I wish there was a way for me to describe the flavor; cinnamon, with a hint of clove. They had a buttery, sugar, nut crunch on top that is so good. This time I used almonds. I will definitely make them again.

Taste is an interesting thing. It can be an incredible experience that brings so much pleasure and joy to us. It is an incredible gift from God. Think of all the yummy foods we get to experience and enjoy. Grapes, in all their varieties; lemons, that can be turned into a dessert or into lemonade, I even had it on pizza the other week. Think of chocolate, that is a wonderful flavor to me. I do have a friend that doesn't find chocolate so pleasing and could pass it by. But I really enjoy it; the melting of it and the creaminess of it. I especially like it when it has nuts or toffee in it. I describe these "tastes" because these are physical tastes. "Yea, all things which come of the earth, in the season thereof, are made for the benefit and the use of man, both to please the eye and to gladden the heart; Yea, for food and for raiment, for taste and for smell, to strengthen the body and to enliven the soul" (D&C 59:18-19). These things do taste good, and do enliven my soul.

There is so much pleasure when we taste good things. That is why we are offered more delicious things to taste in the scriptures. The Psalmst says: "O taste and see that the Lord is good" (34:8). The Lord is good. He offers us so much more to life than a mere short lived lick of ice cream or a nibble of chocolate. He offers us "fruit...desirable to make one happy...that is most sweet, above all that [we]ever before tasted". If we partake of this fruit it will "fill [our] souls with exceedingly great joy...and [we know] that is is desirable above all other fruit" (1 Nephi 8:10-12). By tasting ourselves of this fruit, which fruit is "the love of God" (1 Nephi 11:22), we can know for ourselves spiritual truths because we have tasted of the love of God (see Mosiah 4:11).

When we taste of the love of God we feel the Spirit and the Spirit testifies of truth (see Moroni 10:5; John 14:26). I want to taste of His love all of the time. Sometimes it is more difficult to "taste" than others because of challenges we face or "dark days" (Ezekiel 34:12) but His love is unfailing. What can we do to taste it more frequently? In 1 John 5:3 we are told: "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous." His commandments aren't grievous, they are freeing and lifting. Just like laws of the land keep us safe and free from physical harm, the laws of God offer us protection and safety from spiritual harm. The yield sign on the street and the stop sign are there for a reason, not to just add decoration, but order and safety to what could lead to a horrible situation. This is the same with the commandments of God. They are there, by a loving, all knowing God who will protect us if we are willing to be obedient to His commandments. He will never force us to obey. That isn't His way. He will lovingly lead us "beside still waters" (Psalms 23:2) but, He will never force us to drink or taste that which we don't want. It is our choice.

That's the beauty of this incredible "fruit" He offers us. It is our choice to partake of all He has in store for us. He is calling and inviting all of us~ "Behold, there are many called (that means everyone who is willing to make a covenant with Him), but few are chosen" (we choose whether or not we want to accept this wonderful "fruit" He is offering to us) (D&C 121:34). He wants us to partake, it is up to us whether or not we "yield to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man" (Mosiah 3:19) and "taste of His love" because "...[He] preparest a table before [us]..." (Psalms 23:5). A whole table is waiting for us to taste. 

Sometimes things are difficult and "bitter". Why? So that we "may know to prize the good" (Moses 6:55). Without having tasted less than great food, I wouldn't know what delicious and incredible food really is. I will continue to seek how to make wonderful food that melts in my mouth and fills my heart and soothes my soul and tastes delicious. I can tell you this, the Lord is always offering us the best things to taste, turn to Him and He will lead us to the most incredible tasting food ever. I have "tasted that the Lord is gracious (1 Peter 2:3) and I have "tasted of His love" (Mosiah 4:11) and my desire is to share His love with all the world. This I testify will fill your soul with "exceedingly great joy" and is "desirable above all other fruit" (1 Nephi 8:12).