"...Ye have been nourished by the good word of God all the day long..." Jacob 6:7

I love good food. It doesn't have to be expensive, but I do like good food. One of my favorites is butternut squash soup with a little bit of Gorgonzola cheese in it. Or pumpkin curry soup, hot bread out of the oven, I grind the wheat and everything. I love fresh mozzarella with tomatoes and fresh basil and balsamic vinegar and olive oil drizzled over it. My mouth is watering just picturing all this yummy soul food. Home made macaroni and cheese with bacon or sausage in it, so cheesy and good. It is nourishing to me and comforts and lifts my spirits.

Nourishing to the soul. Food can be that way, filling and nourishing. I love it when it is cooked just right, and boy can it be a bummer when it isn't. This week I got a thawed out chicken breast sandwich, which was way too expensive and a  hair in it to boot. I was bummed. The waiter/owner didn't even apologize. Guess that's the breaks when I don't make my own food or go somewhere I know is a really good place.

There is a guaranteed place to get "good nourishment" every time you enter. It is the scriptures, you will be "nourished by the good word of God all the day long" (Jacob 6:7) if you choose to partake. Sometimes, we have a feast before us, and then we don't chew or swallow, but spit it right back out as if there is a hair in it. We don't really partake. The scriptures really do have that kind of power- to nourish you all day long. How? Because when we "feast upon the words of Christ" (see 2 Nephi 31:20) something happens to us. We are changed. We are fed in a way that man cannot feed us. The words of Christ are able to actually heal and strengthen us, both physically and spiritually.

In the most recent General Conference (you can view all addresses here) Elder Richard G. Scott, an apostle of the Lord, (just think of that alone, an apostle of the Lord,) testified of the power in pondering scriptures:

"Pondering  a passage of scripture can be a key to unlock revelation and the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Ghost. Scriptures can calm an agitated soul, giving peace, hope, and a restoration of confidence in one's ability to overcome the challenges of life. They have potent power to heal emotional challenges when there is faith in the Savior. They can accelerate physical healing." 

The Power of Scripture

We get to choose whether or not we want to allow this power that is there for us to partake, lift, and heal us both physically and spiritually or just rot on the shelf. We decide what we think about. In The Guide to the Scriptures we are taught that "the power to think is a gift from God, and we are free to choose how we use our power to think. The way we think greatly affects attitudes and behavior, as well as our standing after this life. Righteous thoughts lead to salvation; wicked thoughts lead to damnation."

Remember: "To be carnally-minded is death (that is spiritual death), and to be Spiritually-Minded Is Life Eternal" (that's S.M.I.L.E.) (2 Nephi 9:39). Choose to be spiritually minded every day~ smile! Have eternal life (A Christ like life) every day by being spiritually minded. It is our choice! And one of the easiest ways to help us direct our thoughts and "feed our minds" is to read the scriptures daily. "Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly, then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God" (D&C 121:45).

In my own life I have felt and experienced this nourishing and healing power as I have studied the scriptures. There is a calming influence that has come into my life as I have chosen to "receive the pleasing word of God, and [I] feast upon His love; for ye may if your minds are firm forever" (Jacob 3:2). Not only can we feast upon His word, but we can feast upon His love. Come and be changed...be nourished by the good word of God and feel His love! This I testify will never fail you, but will heal you and strengthen you and is food and nourishment for the soul. And it tastes better than anything I've ever eaten!

"... lift up your heads and receive the pleasing word of God, and feast upon his love..." Jacob 3:2

Have I done any good in the world today? Have I helped anyone in need? Sometimes it is really hard to know whether or not I have helped anyone because I just go about doing the normal day to day things of taking care of my family, making dinner, doing laundry, making sure my kids do their homework, exercising, reading my scriptures. The normal stuff. And sometimes I wonder if I have made a difference for anyone throughout the day. I like to think that I have, but it isn't always apparent. And some days are just like that.

But I don't think days need to be like that, and I am trying to make them less like that by  doing the "small and simple things" so that "great things are brought to pass" (Alma 37:6.) Great things...well, doing laundry and making dinner aren't great things, meaning I am not going to get kudos from the world or any kind of recognition for doing them. Neither is saying my prayers, or reading scriptures or kissing my children good night, or telling them I love them, or being kind to others. No, these aren't great things, they are "well doing". And we must "be not weary in well doing, for [we] are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great" (D&C 64:33.)

I can do "great things" everyday and know that I am doing good by doing the "small and simple things". One of those small things is very simple, and has brought a greater measure of the Spirit into my life than anything else. We have been told by prophets over and over to do it, and it is so simple! (Again, I love simple.) It is to read the scriptures, especially  The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ every day. Yes, every day.

Why every day? I can only speak from my own experiences and I have come up with many reasons, but I will list only three today. First, Love for my Savior which leads to protection from the adversary (see Ephesians 6:11-17.) There are promises given again and again in the scriptures to those who keep the commandments of God. Well, I have found that my desire to keep those commandments grows as I come to know my Savior better through learning His words and then applying them. "For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart?" (Mosiah 5:13) As I keep the commandments I am learning not only to make good choices and become more clean and more righteous but my love for Jesus Christ increases as well. Satan is bound by righteousness (see 1 Nephi 22:26.) That is powerful protection! The more love I have for Christ, the more obedient and righteous I strive to become which leads to more protection from the adversary. I have found great protection in my daily scripture study and I know it will be for you also.

Second: read for inspiration and guidance every day: The word of Christ is more powerful than anything else upon our minds to help us learn what we need to learn, including the sword (which implies fear, you can always make more friends, be a better parent, be a better leader, with love than fear anyway) (see Alma 31:5). The word of the Lord is more powerful than any self-help or psychology book. Ponder that one. It is true! I have found more answers as a parent while reading the scriptures than I have while reading any other book about parenting. Perhaps it's because I have been changed more than anything else. I am not sure, but I know that I have received inspiration about almost anything while studying or following scripture study. When I do my scripture study I have an increase measure of the Spirit and therefore I have more access to the Spirit. It has been a true blessing and will be in your life as well.

And third: It can and will heal you because it is the words of Christ (see Jacob 2:8.) "O all ye that are pure in heart, lift up your heads and receive the pleasing word of God, and feast upon his love; for ye may, if your minds are firm, forever." (Jacob 3:2) I have experienced its healing power in my own life. All I can say is: read and be healed!

So, if you have any doubts about whether or not if you've done any good in the world today, take the time to read and know you have done good in the world today. Read and be protected. Read and be inspired. Read and be healed. This I testify is a "small and simple thing" that will definitely bring about a great change.

Have I told you you are SO loved today? Read His words and you will find out for yourself!!! (see John 3:16; 1 John 4:11; D&C 34:3; 1 Nephi 17:40 )

"Wherefore, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do" (2 Nephi 32:3)

As a mother I want my children to know where to turn for the best advice. I hope and pray they they will come to know and understand from themselves that the best advice comes from the living prophet and from the scriptures (I'd like to think it is me, but reality is what it is). The Lord said, "Wherefore, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do" (2 Nephi 32:3). I know this is true.

At the end of any day, these words are perfect: "Cease to be idle, cease to be unclean; cease to find fault one with another (that is perfect for everyone to follow! We have no idea what is going on within the private lives of people, and all we really need is love and caring!!!); cease to sleep longer than is needful; retire to thy bed early ( I am so needing sleep and I am ready for bed! great advice!!!), that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated" (D&C 88:124). I do find that when I go to bed early I can get up earlier and I get so much more done and accomplished. My mind is more alert and my body is in better condition. I also find that I don't make dumb mistakes when I go to be early. It is just wise advise. 

So, my heartfelt love to you today is: feast upon the words of Christ and live them. I promise life is so good when you do...not that I am perfect at it. (I have said I am a practicing Christian, not a perfect one.) That's why I can say I testify of the grace of Christ~ it is powerful and real and it will help you change! Love you!!!