Kendrick, Jessica

This week I studied the difference between a transgression and a sin. It's actually really interesting. A sin is when we know- when we know what we are doing is bad, but we choose to do it anyway. But a transgression is more of when we don't know. Our Heavenly Father is Merciful and just. 2 Nephi 9:25 says "he has given a law; and where there is no law given there is no punishment; and where there is no punishment there is no condemnation; and where there is no condemnation the mercies of the Holy One of Israel have claim upon them, because of the atonement; for they are delivered by the power of him." When we haven't been blessed with the knowledge of the gospel, it wouldn't be fair of our Loving Father to punish us on what we didn't know. And he won't. I read a talk from the October 1996 general conference that I really liked- Sins and Mistakes by Dallin H. Oaks. I reccomend you read it. I loved studying about this because it reminded me of the hope ...

This week I studied the difference between to believe and to have faith. Something that I've noticed during my time as a missionary is that many people believe in Christ, and believe that he died for them, but that's where I see it end. To believe is to be confident in something. To have faith or to be faithful is to be steadfast in allegiance or loyal. In the Gospel of Jesus Christ it isn't enough to just believe, we need to be loyal. Loyal to our values and standards, loyal to our Savior, loyal to our covenants, etc. And when we are loyal, our Loving Heavenly Father makes up the difference, he is loyal to us as well. Faith takes action, belief doesn't.  It's not a long thought, but it made me think, am I showing my loyalty? Is it to things temporal or things spiritual?  I had some time this week to listen to President Ord and one thing he talked a lot about was the word "why". Why are we members, why is the gospel important? Why should we go to church?.....

This week was a fever dream... I don't even know what happened. But, I studied about being a child of God. There are times when we just don't feel like what we are doing is enough, like we just can't reach the top shelf and we aren't meeting expectations (both our own and that of others). I felt that a little this week, but this is what helped me: God is our Loving Heavenly Father, our Father who supports us and excited for every good thing that happens in our life. And he's pretty dang cool, he is all knowing, all powerful, and above all he's Merciful and generous. Let me take a step back for a second to explain my thinking. Let's put my parents and me in mind for a minute. We look kinda similar, I do things the way they do, etc. Why? Because they are my parents, and I learn from them and strive to be like them. I have some characteristics and habits because of that desire and because of the time I have spent with them.  It's like that with our Father i...

I studied about a bunch of different things, one of them being the importance of goals and plans. I studied in Matthew 25, the parable of the talents. A few things stood out to me, that I never really focused on. 1- In verse 15 it says "according to his several ability." We are each considered individually to receive what we receive. He doesn't put us into groups and generally decide what would be best for us, he knows us each perfectly, and has the perfect plan for us. He knows what we can handle, and what our talents are. It's just like what we read about in Come Follow Me, each member of the church is a member of the body of Christ; We all have a purpose. 2- He gives more to those that are willing. If we aren't willing to work hard and put in a little extra effort to grow and help others, he won't give us more. It's necessary to make and work on goals so that we can grow. If you feel like you should have more responsibility, be more responsible and proa...