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Saturday, January 5, 2019

The Book of Mormon is Another Testament of Jesus Christ

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Today is end of the first week of 2019. I have finally completed my scripture study of the Book of Mormon for the first time cover to cover!

It have been really struggling for me in completing the reading of the Book of Mormon since day one I have got to know the Church. My initial plan was to complete reading the Book of Mormon before I be baptized 4 years ago, because I want to know it for myself.

My so called instinct at that time, wanted it so badly and my mind was telling myself that the quickest way to know was to read or listen to the Gospel Library App “Doctrine and Covenants Stories” for children - to know who was Joseph Smith and how our Church was organized and the history of the early members of the Church.

And second after which, I should read or listen to the “Book of Mormon Stories” for children - to know what is in the stories. I had a testimony of Prophet Joseph Smith was called of God and I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God, after my own ‘express reading’ and I got baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Throughout the years after my baptism, I always have a ‘mission’ which is to complete reading the Book of Mormon.

2015, I read till 2 Nephi and stopped;

2016, I read reached Enos and stopped, continued to Mosiah and stopped;

2017, I read till Mosiah and I faced some challenges, then I have got an impression that I should read the Doctrine and the Covenants;

January 2018, President Thomas S Monson had passed away, and the First Presidency message he left for us was the The Gift of Repentance. It touched my heart so much that even the last message the prophet offered to us was Repentance.

I reflected on myself and I realised that I did not give much attention to the counsels of the prophet. President Monson had always asked us to read and study the Book of Mormon.

I made it my 2018 New Year resolution was to complete the reading of the Book of Mormon. I continued back where I left. Then due to the daily activities that fill much time each day – things like work, home, school, taking care of family. I surrendered and stopped at Alma.

Entering last October, I faced little trial and challenge. I remembered that during the General Women Conference, President Russell M Nelson extended four invitations to the sisters. One of those was read the Book of Mormon by the end of 2018. The thought of ‘I still can catch the last train of the year of 2018!’ came to my mind and I still can complete my 2018 New Year resolution.

I picked up my Book of Mormon again and continue on Helaman, and then 3 Nephi. I had never felt the Spirit so strong in guiding me study through the 3 Nephi during my trial and challenges!

I have nothing but to agree completely 101% that 3 Nephi is the highlight of the Book of Mormon! I have learned about the Savior’s words and actions during Jesus Christ’s ministry among the people of the Book of Mormon.

Everyday I have been touched by the Spirit and it seems as the Savior was administering to me one to one:

He teaches me how the Holy Ghost often speaks to us in a still, small voices that we feel in our heart;

He teaches me how to listen to the voice of the Lord through Holy Ghost, so that I will be able to understand the communication He gives me;

He teach me how to pray to Heavenly Father in His name;

He teaches me by pondering and praying to the Father, I can receive greater understanding, and so much more!

These serial of learning have made me believed that there are no such thing as co-incident, but it is all divine design or His plan. He knows that I will encounter this trial at this point of time and he administered me one to one through 3 Nephi.

Entering Mormon, Ether and Moroni, it was another amazing experiences that I have!

The prophet Mormon teach me I can choose to live righteously even if I am alone.

The brother of Jared teach me more about faith, prayer, revelation, and the relationship between exercising faith in Jesus Christ and receiving spiritual knowledge.

Moroni teach me the way to judge between good and evil, and the relationship between faith, hope, and charity.

Finally, there are 3 questions that concluded the Study Guide for Home-Study Seminary Students for the Book of Mormon:

What differences has studying the Book of Mormon this year made in your life?

There are so much differences made in my life as I have studying the Book of Mormon on 2018. It have draw me closer to the Savior, teach me how to live in the gospel and put into action of the things that I have learned. And, I can feel that my faith is growing from the day one I read the Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 4 years ago.

What lessons or principles have helped you “come unto Christ” and strengthened your faith in the Savior?

All the lessons in the Book of Mormon have helped me “come unto Christ” and strengthen my faith in the Savior. It have been such a wonderful experiences that I had for each and every book from 1 Nephi, 2 Nephi, Jacob, Enos, Mosiah, Alma, Helaman, 3 Nephi, Mormon, Ether and finally Moroni. Each book with a different trial and challenge that I have, they walked together with me.

Trials and challenges were bitter, hard and sometimes painful, but if we exercise our faith together with the word of God, they will become our testimonies.

What is your testimony of the Book of Mormon?

I have the testimony of, the Book of Mormon is the word of God. It come forth by the gift and power of God. The Book of Mormon was written specifically for us in the latter-days. It is another testament of Jesus Christ. The examples of the stories recorded inside indeed teach me how to become faithful in Jesus Christ and even teach me how to hold on to my covenant with the Lord.

I know that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, that Joseph Smith is the revelator and prophet in these last days whom restored the gospel and organised His Church on the earth again.

I know that we do have a living prophet, and the Lord still speaks to us again through his living prophet, President Russell M Nelson.

Please, come, and get to know us by yourself.

You would never truly know us through the mouths of others.

Unless, you come and investigate yourself, read the Book of Mormon with a sincere heart and real intent and ask Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ - to know that the Book of Mormon is true?

I promised you that, you will receive your answer.

Moroni 10:4-5
"And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost."

"And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.”

Thursday, January 3, 2019

Issac’s Home-Study Seminary Time

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We were having our dinner somewhere at Burger King Tropicana Avenue as I have Canaan Land Group meeting. Issac took out his seminary scripture study journal and started to do his homework.

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I feel glad that now he has the initiatives to take out his scripture study journal and start to flip through his Gospel Library App and do it.

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How blessed I am to have him in my life!

Wednesday, January 2, 2019

Monday, December 31, 2018

Issac’s First Seminary Assignment

This year Issac turns to 14 years old. It is time for him to start the Seminary class. I just asked him start to study the scriptures and follow according to the Gospel Library App Home-Study Seminary Program.

This year the students will be studying Doctrine and Covenants. As we are not in United States and our students are few, thus we are following the Home-Study program.

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The student will first complete reading assignments from the scripture, then they will complete the individual lessons. Once a week they will meet with a seminary teacher to submit their work and participate in a weekly lesson.

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There are 32 units to be completed during this year and they will need to work on their seminary assignment each school days, even though they will not attend a seminary class each day.

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Seminary is a really good daily religious education program for the youth to follow and grows their faith onto Jesus Christ and His teachings. Here are some of his assignments which he did at home.

Wednesday, December 26, 2018

Simple Lunch

After we attended the Church on Sunday and I requested a Blessing from Brother Kelvin, I drove to Skudai, Johor together with both Issac, Annabelle and Oscar the furry cat. It was almost 9.00pm. when we reached Skudai.

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These few days the children and I just stayed at home as Alvin need to work during day time. Thus, I just try to clear his fridge as he will be moving out from this current house to his new company job site near Kulai.

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This is what I did for the children – Yong Tau Foo, together with fish bone corn soup and fried egg for our lunch. It was kind of ugly when I fried those stuffed fishpaste and minced pork brinjals and bitter guords… I am glad that both children are always very supportive even my cooking is not so good. 

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It is kind of blessed that I have both of them in my life. Sometimes I really feel both of them are the guardian angel that the Lord have given to me, and He knows that they will protect me and guide me to walk on the path, especially with my relationship with Alvin now.

Sunday, December 23, 2018

Future Missionary Wristband

Issac received a Future Missionary Wristband from a young man in the Church whom will go for his mission soon. Normally it is the tradition that a young man that received his mission call letter, will extend his wristband to the following youths in the Branch to encourage them to go for a mission.

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Since the day when we joined the Church, I encourage Issac to go to serve for a mission if he is grow up and reach 18 years old. As I had witnessed so much changes to the young men in the Church gained their own testimonies on the Savior when they came back from their mission. They were not only change spiritually but physically in terms of attitude as well.

That is my hope that both children would have a heart and desire to serve for a mission as they grow older and they put the Lord in the centre of their life.

Saturday, December 15, 2018

Annabelle with Santa Claus ^^

Our branch having a Christmas party tonight at the Chapel. This is the photo of Annabelle with our Puchong Branch Santa Claus – Brother Kok Cin.

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Well, this year I did something different I guess… I prepared some different gifts for each sisters that have helped me before and some to my ministering sisters. This is the handmade small journal book…

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I always has the thoughts of encourage the sisters write down their testimonies or writing a journal about gratitude or what so ever that let them remember of Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father even when they feel despair or down.