Aha!

I started this blog because as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I am trying to teach people about His gospel. One of the ways I find is a good way to do that, is to share my "Aha" moments, or times I have felt that I have learned something. There is really no rhyme or reason to it. I learn best from others personal experiences, and so that is how I have decided to share and teach:) 

Recently in the mission that I am in, our mission President has put a major focus on the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon for those who are unfamiliar, is a sacred volume of scripture written around the same time as the Bible. It testifies of Christ, and tells the history and spiritual account of the people who dwelt in the Ancient Americas. What our mission President has asked us to do, is to read it in 90 days. I was already reading in it, so I started where I was and decided to go full circle.

 Elder Robert D. Hales said: “When we want to speak to God, we pray. And when we want Him to speak to us, we search the scriptures”(in Conference Report, Oct. 2006, 27)

So without further ado, Sister Allen's Aha Moment!

I was reading in the very first book of Nephi in chapter 14

The very first verse is so powerful!

"And it shall come to pass, that if the Gentiles shall hearken unto the Lamb of God in that day that he shall manifest himself unto them in word, and also in power, in very deed, unto the taking away of their stumbling blocks." -1 Nephi 14:1

What a powerful way to begin a scripture!  

If we will hearken unto God, He will take away our stumbling blocks. Stumbling blocks can be anything from not being able to read the scriptures to having a lack of Faith and belief in God. we all have different stumbling blocks. We all struggle with different things which pull us away from God. Trials we go through that are meant to hedge up the way. We are promised by our loving Heavenly Father, that if we will abide by his precepts, He will take away our stumbling blocks.

I have noticed in my own life, that as I struggle to do the things that God has asked me to do, go to church, read our scriptures, keep the commandments and so forth, that I am far from God. This is not where I want to be. It becomes a stumbling block. I have also come to realize that my stumbling blocks sometimes come from me, and stem from my pride. We know that sometimes God gives us trials to teach us something, and sometimes we create them ourselves by lack of obedience to the commandments He has given us. 

My Aha moment, was realizing that any stumbling block I am presented with, man made, or God made can be made my strength and turned to my good just by showing my faith in God with my actions, words and deeds. 

Even if I feel as though I am struggling, or something hard has been put in my way, as long as I am trying to follow God and continually turn to Him for his guidance, I am hearkening to Him. He will bless me, and turn my stumbling block into a strength.

That was just my little Aha moment, and I know some of you have probably already had this Aha moment and are reading this going, "well yeah." haha that is the great thing about Aha moments with the Book of Mormon. They are personal, and just for you. It is what the spirit of God tells you regardless of what you read. I know as we strive to have these moments, God will bless us with the knowledge and answers to questions we are seeking.

He always does for me.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.