2 Nephi Chapter 5

And it came to pass that we lived after the manner of happiness. 2 Nephi 5:24

This is the scripture that leaped out at me tonight. It has been a long week. My little one has been sick, along with my husband, and various other craziness.

I don't think I've been living after the manner of happiness. Sometimes it is hard to remember to slow down and think, and to live each day thoroughly, instead of as quickly as possible.

I need to pray more, laugh more, forgive more, and love more. I need to be more diligent. I need to be less hasty, less judgmental, less quick to anger, etc.

I think if I did all these things I would be living after the manner of happiness. God means us to have great joy. I am sure in His eyes we waste a lot of what we've been given, just in unecessary worry.

Each day I want to take the opportunity to notice more and to be more in the moment. That is one goal for this week.

Do you want to read this verse in context? Read all of 2 Nephi Chapter 5.

1 Nephi Chapter 20

For, behold, I have refined thee, I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction. ~ 1 Nephi 20:10

This was a tough chapter for me. This chapter compares to Isaiah 48. Isaiah had a particular way of speaking and it is hard for me to understand.

I chose this scripture because it was short and the meaning seems obvious to me. I have certainly felt like I was being 'refined' at times, and by that I mean tested. And the furnace of affliction? I think I've been there too.

Sometimes I remember to thank Heavenly Father for my trials. I know that real growth can take place during and after a trial.

Trials can be physical, spiritual, or emotional. Sometimes they are little and sometimes so overwhelmingly huge. I figure if I can learn to be grateful for them then I'll always have at least some good come from them.

Do you want to read this verse in context? Read all of 1 Nephi Chapter 20.