• The United States as a “Light Unto the World”

I believe the United States was to become a refuge and sign of new life for those emigrating from foreign lands. I think the lord knew his people would need a place where they can live and worship freely so he inspired people to explore new lands which eventually became the United States. I firmly believe that United States was discovered and organized by the hand of God to give his people the best environment to learn, teach and live the gospel of Jesus Christ. Just like the scripture says that the gospel of Jesus Christ and its members are a light unto the world so is the United States for they all bear witness of Gods power among the children of men. It’s no coincidence that people migrate to the United States for refuge and freedom that their mother countries don’t give them. The lord made the United States different from all other nations so its people can have freedoms no other country has.

• The United States as the “Proper Host Nation for the Restoration of the Gospel.”

The United States at the time was the only country with the freedom of worship. There was no dominant faith like catholic or protestant like in most Europe countries at the time. In fact it was the religious oppression that brought immigrants to the United States because it was a blank canvas. Europe was the dominant powers at the time which create hindrances for the lords servants to restore the gospel of Jesus Christ

• The Doctrine of an Inspired Constitution

I firmly believe that the lord was behind the creation of the Consitution. I think the lord knew what his people needed to flourish in life and in the gospel so he inspired men who saw a need for change and gave them the tools to accomplish it. I know the constitution isn’t word for word direct revelation. However for the most important parts the lord was there. If we look back on the human existence you can see God’s hand shaping, guiding and leading his people to where they need to be to truly flourish in life and in the gospel.

using the scriptures to meet life challenges

Choice 1: Philippians 1–4. Find Solutions in the Scriptures to Life’s Challenges
For each of the following common challenges, write the counsel from Philippians that you would use to resolve it:

• People sometimes argue and complain over petty matters in church meetings or throughout the week (see Philippians 2:1–8, 14–15)

2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. We as members need to love and support each other despite our weaknesses and not take offense over trivial things. We need the spirit of love and unity in order to have the spirit of the lord in our meetings. we need to love others despite their weaknesses

• Many youth feel that their parents’ testimony is sufficient for them. Since they have good parents, they rely on them for all their spiritual strength (see Philippians 2:12–15 and institute student manual commentary for Philippians 2:12, “Work out Your Own Salvation with Fear and Paul told the Philippian Saints, “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12). Some people incorrectly use this verse to support the idea that we are saved by our own efforts and not by the grace of Jesus Christ. However, Paul was not telling the Saints to work in order to earn salvation. Instead, as Paul pointed out, the Saints should live the gospel so that the saving work God was already doing within them would be manifest in all they did (see Philippians 1:6; 2:13). Our efforts to work out our salvation are possible only because of the Lord’s grace within us" We cannot rely on our parents testimonies our whole life because there comes a point in our lives where we will experience a trial of faith and we wont have our parents testimonies to save us. We can use their testimonies to build the foundation of our own testimonies but we have to do the rest on our own. We need to experience our own conversion, we need to seek a personal relationship with the lord. We need to make the decision to believe and act on faith, An investigator is considering joining the Church, but his family will no longer associate with him if he does (see Philippians 3:7–16; 4:13).
• How is this writing assignment an example of the principle taught in 2 Nephi 32:3?
  8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ
• ,3 Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.First both these scriptures are saying that if we rely on god he will guide us on the right road. people may enter and leave our lives but god will never leave us, he is always there to love and support us. Converts family members may oppose their membership in the church and even leave their lives but there is always a chance for them to come back, for their hearts to be softened and understanding opened but regardless the lord will be with us no matter what. relying on the saviors love and atonement can keep us spiritually strong and faithful in trials and tribulation. paul and nephis message is the same, rely on the lord and he will tell you all things you should do.

Diversity in unity

 So we, beingmany, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

 7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

 9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

We as diciples of Christ are all given different gifts, abilities, talents that helps serve the lord at our best. We as a people are diverse and individual which the lord highlights for he uses our individuality to help others. Some people think everyone needs to be the same to be equal or included but I personally think if everyone was the same there would be no growth or individuality. we as a people are different for the sole purpose complementing each other, working together to grow, expand etc. the lord delights in our individualty and uniqueness for he made us that way on purpose to fulfill the purposes of our creation. Its our responsibility to figure out what our talents are and develop them so we can use them in serving others and serving in the church. if we don't utlize our abilities we will lose them just like if we don't nurish our testimonies we will lose our testimony.

light of christ

corthinans4;66 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

 This scripture reminds me of how everyone is born with the light of christ guiding them to truth. Light of chirst is prepatory to recieving the holy ghost. the light of christ can help those seeking truth find the light of the gospel. The light of christ is a gift to all born on this earth to guide us back to god. the light of christ along with the holy ghost can open our spirituality more fully to recgonize teachings of christ more readily. We are creatures of light and spirituality so its important to strengthen our spirituality through the light of christ and holy ghost

the power of unity

1corinthians1:10
10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

So this scripture stood out to me during me reading for it reminded me of the importance of unity within the church. So at this time the new converts were arguing over doctrine, practices etc which destoyed the sprit of unity they had when they were first baptised. It reminded me also how sometimes you've been in the church so long you forget why you became a member. Well due to their arguments they lost sight of what made them join the church in the first place. Faith in the lord Jesus Christ. They had felt God's love and had spiritual confirmation of what paul taught was true and were baptized and happy.So thankfully paul reminded them of their faith in Jesus Christ and not worry over trivial things and do what he taught them. Yes I can see the strain they were after paul left, they were brand new converts left to run the church which was like asking the imposssible but they did it the best they could and paul helped as much as he could from a distance. Now here in modern times this scripture reminded of division of churches, doctrine, practices and even divisions within the church which breed confusion,strife and resentment. I truly believe when we as diciples of christ are united in our faith and our love for each other our spirits are magnified and our power for food increases 10 fold.

The power of change Acts 9,13-18
So this week as I read through Acts I was quite impressed with Saul's conversion. I realized I never knew Saul was later known as Paul the apostle.So when Saul is first introduced he went around persecuting the church. Acts 8:"As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison."Not only that but he was going to the high priest for lists of the saints to put them in prison.Acts9:2 "And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem." So right now he is doing all he can to pervert the church of God. Then something unexpected happens, Jesus Christ appears unto him and personally asks him why he is doing what he does.
3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
This is the beginning of his conversion and the start of his new life as an apostle of the lord.Now there were those who were skeptic of his miraculous change of heart but they were proven wrong when they saw his sincere change of heart. That is what faith in Jesus Christ does it gives you a new heart and new life as his diciple. It always amazes me how far Gods love for his children go for none are turned away. God doesn't see us as we are now but who we can become for we can always become something or somone better with Gods help. Paul was an amazing missionary he helped thousands of people change and repent just like he did. That is the gospel of Jesus Christ, the power to change, for its never too late to become who we were meant to become. I feel like I have gotten to know both saul and paul personally this week and am impressed by both men for they both instruments in the lords hands.

The acts of the apotles

Well another semeter has started at byu Idaho and I am studying the new testamment, Mainly acts through revelations. So this week I studied acts 1-8, 10-12. So what was the main theme of these scriptures? What was taught? The main theme was missionary work. Jesus Has acended into heaven after his ressurection and charged his apostles to teach the gospel and keep his church going. They bore powerful testimony of Chirsts divinity, they spoke boldly against sin. They called and ordained apostles and sent them all over to preach the gospel.Here is a short summary of what the apostles taught the people,
1.Calling and ordaining of the apostles.
2. Conferring the gift of the holy ghost by the laying on of hands
3. Christs death and ressurrection
4.propheys of the second coming
5, testimony of Christs divinity
6. Repent and be baptized by the proper authority and recieve the holy ghost.
7. testifies of the latter day gathering of israel
8. gospel preached to the gentiles
9. martydom of stephan
10. peter and john imprisoned
11. Missionary work.
This list is just a small part of the apostles efforts in teaching the gospel but its clear to see missionary work was the main objective in this scriptures