Day 39 - Alma 31-33

Spiritual Thought:
In 1982, Elder Boyd K. Packer spoke to the regional representatives and stake presidents about the priority the scriptures should take in our labors.  “…I add my voice to these wise and inspired brethren and say to you that one of the most important things you can do as priesthood leaders is to immerse yourselves in the scriptures.  Search them diligently.  Feast upon the words of Christ.  There are few other ways to gain greater inspiration as you serve...but that alone, as valuable as it is, is not enough.  You must also bend your efforts and your activities to stimulating meaningful scripture study among the members of the Church.  Often we spend great effort in trying to increase the activity levels in our stakes.  We work diligently to raise the percentages of those attending sacrament meetings.  We labor to get a higher percentage of our young men on missions.  We strive to improve the numbers of those marrying in the temple.  All of these are commendable efforts and important to the growth of the kingdom.  But when individual members and families immerse themselves in the scriptures regularly and consistently, these other areas of activity will be strengthened.  Families will be fortified.  Personal revelation will flow.” 

Daily Focus Scriptures to mark and ponder:

Alma 31:5 - "And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just -- yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the mind of the people than the swords, or anything else..."
Alma 32:27 - "The first thing Alma tells his listeners is what they must do in order to obtain the fruit of the tree of life is give place  for a portion of the words of Alma.

Alma 32:28 -  Alma tells us that we will “begin” to notice four things in our lives if the seed we have planted is good. The key words used in his description are

1.  SWELLING,

2.  ENLARGE,

3.  ENLIGHTEN,

4.  DELICIOUS.

For Kids:
Click here to listen and read the short story - "The Carrot Seed" - 1 min. 3 sec.
Click here to watch video about Alma teaching the Zoramites - 2 min. 32 sec.
Click here to watch video about Alma teaching about Faith - 1 min. 34 sec.

Daily Questions: 

What does it mean to “give place?”   What must we do to “give place” for the seed or the word to be planted in our own lives?  How would one who wanted to be a follower “give place”  for Family Home Evening? How would he or she “give place”  for family prayer or family scripture study or personal prayer?

Food for Thought: 
Before a seed can germinate, it must be planted, but before it can be planted we must find a place for it in the busy, busy fields of our lives.  In the matter of Family Home Evenings, the Church has rendered us great assistance by giving us a place unencumbered in any way by church responsibilities. “Here it is,” the prophets have said. “Monday night is your place to plant the seeds of family togetherness and family gospel study and family unity.”  Do we use the place for that, or have we planted other crops there instead? Have you ever wondered if the appearance of Monday Night Football was a coincidence?  Some research has been done that might interest you.

The designation of “Monday night” for Family Home Evening came in September 1970.

The Priesthood Bulletin announced that “in a recent meetings the First Presidency and Council of the Twelve approved the setting aside of Monday night for holding Family Home Evening throughout the entire Church. Encouragement is now given to stakes, missions, wards, and branches to reserve Monday evening for Family Home Evening. … Families [should] be left free from Church activities so that they can meet together in Family Home Evening.” (Rex W. Allred, “I Have a Question,” Ensign, Jan. 1987, 52)

Check out the date Monday Night Football first aired.  Satan wastes no time!

Monday Night Football first aired on ABC on September 21, 1970, with a match between the New York Jets and the Cleveland Browns, in Cleveland, Ohio. The show has run ever since, and the NFL has obliged by scheduling its best teams and biggest stars for that night, so as to gain maximum exposure.  (Http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monday_Night_Football)

BOMING Picture:  A great example from Hayden, as he's packing one for the road!