In The Garden

One of my favorite things to do is think about what it must have been like to walk with the Savior on earth. To see his miracles and watch him bless the children. I actually put myself in the story of the women that touched Christ's clothing and had such great faith that among a crowd of people, he felt her.

20. For she said within herself, If I may touch his garment,
I shall be whole.
21. Jesus turned about him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort;thy faith hath made thee whole.(Matthew 9: 20-21)

This week my reflection of being with Christ brought me into the Garden of Gethsemane, I hadn't yet pictured being with Christ on earth at this time. My heart was full of sorrow, gratitude and a desire to be a better servant to Christ.

• What would it have been like to have to be reminded by Christ to wake and watch because you had disobeyed him and fallen asleep?

38. The saith he unto them, My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even unto death; tarry ye here and watch with me.
40: And he cometh unto the disciples, and fideth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?
Matthew 26: 38&40

On this Sabbath morning, I express gratitude that “in my Gethsemane" and yours, we are not alone. He that watches over us “shall neither slumber nor sleep.” His angels here and beyond the veil are “round about [us], to bear [us] up.” I bear my special witness that our Savior’s promise is true, for He says, “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” May we wait upon Him by pressing forward in faith, that we may say in our prayers, “Thy will be done,” and return to Him with honor. (Robert D. Hales)

41. Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Matthew 26:41

• What would it have been like to betray the Savior of the world with such a delicate gesture as a kiss?

President Thomas S. Monson, "The label of a traitor’s kiss had identified the Master. Judas now wore his own label of inescapable shame and revulsion."

48 Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.

 49 And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.

 50 And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.

Matthew 26: 48-50

Betrayed by a traitor’s kiss, condemned to die at foreign hands for a crime He did not commit, He humbly submitted Himself to the ugly lash and was nailed by His hands and feet to a wooden cross. Yea, the greatest of all of God’s children was left to die on a horrible cross. (Melvin Hammond)

I am grateful for the sacrifice that my Savior made for me. For the drops of blood that hit the ground that night in my behalf. I know that he loves me and died for me and there is nothing that I can do that will take that love away.

Let me be direct and clear. The answers to the questions “Am I good enough?” and “Will I make it?” are “Yes! You are going to be good enough” and “Yes, you are going to make it as long as you keep repenting and do not rationalize or rebel.” The God of heaven is not a heartless referee looking for any excuse to throw us out of the game. He is our perfectly loving Father, who yearns more than anything else to have all of His children come back home and live with Him as families forever. He truly gave His Only Begotten Son that we might not perish but have everlasting life!1 Please believe, and please take hope and comfort from, this eternal truth. Our Heavenly Father intends for us to make it! That is His work and His glory. (J. Devin Cornish)

Seek The Lost

I love the Savior so much. His entire ministry was nonjudgmental and loving to everyone. He not only loved the sinner He considered them lost and searched for them. He told the disciples to to go teach but not to visit the Gentiles and Samaritans, but go where the people needed them the most, seek the lost. "But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." (Matthew 10:6)

When I was twelve years old my family went inactive from church. Looking back I can see how crucial that time was for me as an adolescent. I needed the Savior and his young women's program to coach me in virtue, chastity, faith and to help me see beyond my insecurities and that I am a daughter of God. After years of loneliness, struggle and bad decisions I found my way back into the fold.

 At the age of eighteen after a loss of a very good friend I returned to church to try to more fully understand life after death. I was surprised at how much more I would find and discover not just about the gospel but about myself.



Coming back after years of inactivity is humbling and difficult."They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick."(Matthew 9:12)  I am thankful for the members that saw me as a daughter of God. A lost sheep that needed the Savior's atonement. There were times I felt inadequate and like I didn't belong but there was always someone there to remind me that I was not alone in my afflictions and that because of Jesus Christ I did belong.


It is a difficult path back to the fold. I remember having to say goodbye to many of my close friends because they weren't ready to accept the changes I was making in my life. I thank Heavenly Father for giving me new good friends that cared for me and loved me. My friends outside of the church really only cared about what I would do with them that night and how much fun we would have that weekend. My new friends inside the church cared for me eternally, the difference was magnificent and made me feel so good. I now love all sorts of people eternally, I am so thankful for God and caring enough for me to have brothers and sisters in his church love me and help me to heal. Mostly, I am thankful that He sent His Son to pay for my sins.

Everyone inside and outside of God's church are sick, they need people to love them back into the fold.

Personal Application of Raising Youth

“The boy may have potential even beyond what the Lord will reveal to you. Help him aim high," President Henry B. Eyering. These strong words of prophetic council have echoed in my ears through this application process. I related this message to my husband, as together we came up with our mission statement for raising youth in our home.

Raising Youth in the Mecham Home

We are committed to the supporting and raising of youth in a Christ centered home. We will do everything in our power to ensure that our youth feel safe, loved and happy in our home. Our home will always be a sanctuary from the battles of the world, a place where everyone can be accepted and valued for who they are. We will aid and motivate them in walking fully protected in the armor of God on a daily basis.   We will help and support them in recognizing, developing and using their God given talents and abilities to find happiness, fulfillment and value in life.

Sadly my husband and I have had a struggling relationship with the anxieties, pressures and tensions of raising a youth in our home. Sitting down together and writing this mission statement helped us open up to each other about our struggles and disappointments, with our son and each other.

   

                For part of my application process I wrote down my feelings about my son in the form of a letter to him. This is part of that letter:

 I remember when you were a little boy, you spent three and a half long years all by yourself with me and dad. You were my entire life. We spent all day keeping each other busy and loving each other. One day as we were driving home from a mommy and son excursion you said, "Mom I'm gonna live with you forever." I explained why you couldn't do that and that someday you wouldn't even want to do that, you cried. Now that I am at the someday when you don’t want to live with me anymore and I question whether you even love me sometimes, I am the one with tears.

This was the best thing I could have done for my son, to remember him as an innocent loving child who cherished his mother. These memories help me remember what I am fighting for at a time when I am truly ready to give up. I didn’t read this letter to Matthew, that wasn’t the purpose, but I did talk him into sitting down with me and going through his albums to help him remember that sweet boy again too.

                The last thing I want to mention was the hardest part of the application. I call it back to the basics. About six months ago our youth decided that life wasn’t fair and that he wanted to be normal and the least we could do was hear him out. We sat down with him, listened and then together we discussed his concerns (complaints, life’s not fair). That is when I made the mistake of saying that we are telling him “no” too often, we have to find at least a few things to say “yes” to. So we did and our youth was satisfied at first but soon he got used to those ideas and even complained about those, it was never enough. After studying the topic, finding and reading quotes and praying about it I decided it was time to get back to the basics. If he is going to complain and be miserable anyway, we might as well stick to our guns. We held a family council and reposted our family rules. He sat quiet through the entire meeting and then went up to his room. These past few weeks have been so great, he seems happier with the rules back in place. I am grateful for this application process, it challenged me to write down feelings, communicate, set guidelines, look past faults, be more positive and try to better understand my son. This has been an encouraging experience for our family.

Raising Youth

My Position on Raising Youth

I remember when my fifteen year old son was a little boy, he spent three and a half long years all by himself with mom and dad. He was my entire life. We spent all day keeping each other busy and loving each other. One day as we were driving home from a mommy and son excursion he said, "Mom I'm gonna live with you forever." As I explained why he couldn't do that and that someday he wouldn't even want to do that he cried. Now that I am at the someday when he doesn't want to live with me anymore and I question whether he even loves me, I am the one with tears. My position on raising youth is that it stinks! What a bad attitude. That is why I chose this topic for my application project. Despite my negativity, I have found peace in many of the conference addresses and quotes I have found while studying this topic. My favorite comes from Elder Wilford W. Anderson who states, “When they are teenagers, we can tune out the cacophony of arguments and threats and, instead, perform the beautiful music of persuasion—and perhaps sing the second verse of the lullaby of long-suffering. Parents can perform in perfect harmony the tandem attributes of gentleness and meekness.” Raising youth is a difficult charge, one that I intend to put my whole heart into for that sweet little boy who loves his mommy and wants to live with her forever.

1.Elder Wilford W. Anderson – April 2015 Conference “The Music of the Gospel” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/04/the-music-of-the-gospel?lang=eng

“When they are teenagers, we can tune out the cacophony of arguments and threats and, instead, perform the beautiful music of persuasion—and perhaps sing the second verse of the lullaby of long-suffering. Parents can perform in perfect harmony the tandem attributes of gentleness and meekness.”

2.President Thomas S. Monson- April 2014 Conference “Be Strong and of a Good Courage” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/be-strong-and-of-a-good-courage?lang=eng

“We are here upon the earth at a remarkable period in its history. Our opportunities are almost limitless, and yet we also face a multitude of challenges, some of them unique to our time.”

3.President Thomas S. Monson- April 2014 Conference “Be Strong and of a Good Courage” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/be-strong-and-of-a-good-courage?lang=eng

“…decisions are constantly before us which can determine our destiny. In order for us to make the correct decisions, courage is needed—the courage to say no when we should, the courage to say yes when that is appropriate, the courage to do the right thing because it is right.”

4.President Henry B. Eyering- October 2012 Conference “Help Them Aim High” Https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/10/help-them-aim-high?lang=eng

“The boy may have potential even beyond what the Lord will reveal to you. Help him aim high.”

5. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf- October 2014 “Lord is it I?” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/lord-is-it-i?lang=eng&query=Lord+is+it+i

“This business of beams and motes seems to be closely related to our inability to see ourselves clearly. I’m not sure why we are able to diagnose and recommend remedies for other people’s ills so well, while we often have difficulty seeing our own.”

6. Elder Dallin H. Oaks-April 2015 Conference “The Parable of the Sower” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/04/the-parable-of-the-sower?lang=eng

“If the emblems of the sacrament are being passed and you are texting or whispering or playing video games or doing anything else to deny yourself essential spiritual food, you are severing your spiritual roots and moving yourself toward stony ground. You are making yourself vulnerable to withering away when you encounter tribulation like isolation, intimidation, or ridicule.”

7. Elder L. Tom Perry-October 2014 “Finding Lasting Peace and Building Eternal Families” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/finding-lasting-peace-and-building-eternal-families?lang=eng

“A successful parent should never be too busy to capture a moment in a child’s life when an important lesson can be taught.”

8. Elder M. Russell Ballard-April 2015 “The Greatest Generation of Young Adults” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/04/the-greatest-generation-of-young-adults?lang=eng

“If you find yourself lacking in any of these simple principles, then I urge you to courageously repent and bring your life back in line with gospel standards of righteous discipleship.”

9. Robert D. Hales- October 2014  Eternal Life—to Know Our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ    https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/eternal-life-to-know-our-heavenly-father-and-his-son-jesus-christ?lang=eng#watch=video

 “As I exercised faith and obeyed the commandments, the Holy Ghost testified that what I was learning was true. This is how I came to know for myself.”

10. Robert D. Hales- April 2004  With All the Feeling of a Tender Parent: A Message of Hope to Families https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2004/04/with-all-the-feeling-of-a-tender-parent-a-message-of-hope-to-families?lang=eng

 “Every parent faces moments of such fear. However, when we exercise our faith by teaching our children and doing what we can to help them, our fears will diminish.”

The Sacrament

My Position on the Sacrament

When I was a youth my family went inactive from the church, sadly these are the years that I needed it the most. As I went about my life without guiding principles I made a huge mess. When I was eighteen years old and returning to activity I attended a convert baptism and I was mesmerized by the Spirit in the room and the way the entire experience made me feel. I couldn't help to think that I wanted this for myself, I wanted to be baptized again. Of course I knew that wasn't going to happen, so I began to study the sacrament with an emphasis on renewing my baptismal covenants. It is amazing to me all of the opportunities and guides that God has provided to help bring us back home to him. I have no doubt in my mind that my Heavenly Father knew that I would need the saving ordinances of the Sacrament and that they exist for the sole purpose of a remission of sin and a rebirth of spirit through the atonement of Jesus Christ. 

1.President Henry B. Eyring- April 2015 Conference “The Comforter” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/04/the-comforter?lang=eng

“You are a covenant member of the Church of Jesus Christ. A great change began in your heart when you came into the Church. You made a covenant, and you received a promise that began changing your very nature.”

2. Elder Russell M Nelson –April 2015 Conference “The Sabbath Is a Delight” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/04/the-sabbath-is-a-delight?lang=eng

“The Savior identified Himself as Lord of the Sabbath. It is His day! Repeatedly, He has asked us to keep the Sabbath10 or to hallow the Sabbath day. We are under covenant to do so.”

3. Elder Russell M Nelson –April 2015 Conference “The Sabbath Is a Delight” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/04/the-sabbath-is-a-delight?lang=eng

“Faith in God engenders a love for the Sabbath; faith in the Sabbath engenders a love for God. A sacred Sabbath truly is a delight.”

4. Elder M. Russell Ballard-April 1996 “Feasting at the Lord’s Table” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1996/04/feasting-at-the-lords-table?lang=eng&query=elder+m+russell+ballard+sacrament

“For example, carefully planned sacrament meetings should be a spiritual feast in which we worship and learn of our Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Bishops, if your sacrament meetings are less than a banquet of spiritual nourishment, I urge you to invite suggestions from your ward council, especially the sisters, on ways to make every sacrament meeting a more reverent, spiritual experience.”

5. Elder David A Bednar- April 2006 “That We May Always Have His Spirit to Be with Us” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2006/04/that-we-may-always-have-his-spirit-to-be-with-us?lang=eng

“Precisely because the promised blessing is that we may always have His Spirit to be with us, we should attend to and learn from the choices and influences that separate us from the Holy Spirit.”

6. Elder David A Bednar- April 2006 “That We May Always Have His Spirit to Be with Us” 

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2006/04/that-we-may-always-have-his-spirit-to-be-with-us?lang=eng

“Through the ordinance of the sacrament we renew our baptismal covenant and can receive and retain a remission of our sins (see Mosiah 4:12, 26). In addition, we are reminded on a weekly basis of the promise that we may always have His Spirit to be with us. As we then strive to keep ourselves clean and unspotted from the world, we become worthy vessels in whom the Spirit of the Lord can always dwell.”

7. Cheryl A. Esplin- October 2014 “The Sacrament a Renewal for the Soul” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/the-sacrament-a-renewal-for-the-soul?lang=eng&query=sacrament

“The sacrament becomes a spiritually strengthening experience when we listen to the sacrament prayers and recommit to our covenants. To do this, we must be willing to take upon us the name of Jesus Christ.”

8. Cheryl A. Esplin- October 2014 “The Sacrament a Renewal for the Soul” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/the-sacrament-a-renewal-for-the-soul?lang=eng&query=sacrament

“The sacrament provides a time for a truly spiritual experience as we reflect upon the Savior’s redeeming and enabling power through His Atonement.”

9. Dallin H. Oaks- October 2008 “Sacrament Meeting and the Sacrament” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2008/10/sacrament-meeting-and-the-sacrament?lang=eng&query=sacrament

“The ordinance of the sacrament makes the sacrament meeting the most sacred and important meeting in the Church. It is the only Sabbath meeting the entire family can attend together. Its content in addition to the sacrament should always be planned and presented to focus our attention on the Atonement and teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

10. Dallin H. Oaks- October 2008 “Sacrament Meeting and the Sacrament” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2008/10/sacrament-meeting-and-the-sacrament?lang=eng&query=sacrament

“The sacrament is the ordinance that replaced the blood sacrifices and burnt offerings of the Mosaic law, and with it came the Savior’s promise: “And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost”

Education

My Position on Education

I echo the words of Sister Mary N. Cook, "“You must get all of the education that you possibly can. …" In our home we call this, "life long learners." I believe that education is everywhere and a majority of what we learn including manners, virtuous living and faith should come from good wholesome reading. Our family loves classical literature, it has filled our home with quality learning and valuable discussion. One of our favorite classics which sits at the center of our education is the Book of Mormon. In our family mission statement which we recite daily it states, "We seek liber and exemplify personal and public virtues to ensure our freedoms." I believe education is the key to keeping and enjoying our freedoms.

Quote

1.President Thomas S. Monsons- October 2014 Conference “Guided Safely Home” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/guided-safely-home?lang=eng

“We are strengthened by the truth that the greatest force in the world today is the power of God as it works through man.”

2.President Henry B. Eyring – Octoer 2014 Conference “Continueing Revelation” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/continuing-revelation?lang=eng

“We all know that human judgment and logical thinking will not be enough to get answers to the questions that matter most in life. We need revelation from God.”

3. Elder Packer-October 1992 “To Be Learned Is Good If…” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1992/10/to-be-learned-is-good-if?lang=eng

“They will not be judged on how many degrees they hold or how extensive their schooling may be, but on how well educated they are in those things which are of eternal value.”

4. 3. Elder Packer-October 1992 “To Be Learned Is Good If…” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1992/10/to-be-learned-is-good-if?lang=eng

“We encourage our youth in every country to get an education. Even if at times it seems hopeless. With determination and faith in the Lord, you will be blessed with success. It is a dream well worth pursuing.”

5. Elder L. Tom Perry-October 2014 “Finding Lasting Peace and Building Eternal Families” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/finding-lasting-peace-and-building-eternal-families?lang=eng

“The greatest teaching of all must be done by righteous example.”

6. Elder Perry-October 1997 “Receive Truth” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1997/10/receive-truth?lang=eng

“The acquisition of knowledge is a fundamental part of the Lord’s eternal plan for His children.”

7. Elder Perry-October 1997 “Receive Truth” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1997/10/receive-truth?lang=eng

“Gaining a knowledge of Him is fundamental to our mortal training. We also need to have a thirst and a desire to become acquainted with the doctrines of the kingdom.”

8. Elder Bednar - October 2014 “Come and See”  https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/come-and-see?lang=eng#d

“Absolute truth exists in a world that increasingly disdains and dismisses absolutes.”

9. Mary N. Cook-April 2012 “Seek Learning: You Have a Work to Do” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/04/seek-learning-you-have-a-work-to-do?lang=eng&query=education

“You must get all of the education that you possibly can. … Sacrifice anything that is needed to be sacrificed to qualify yourselves to do the work of [this] world. … Train your minds and hands to become an influence for good as you go forward with your lives.”

10. Mary N. Cook-April 2012 “Seek Learning: You Have a Work to Do” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/04/seek-learning-you-have-a-work-to-do?lang=eng&query=education

“Be a good student. Arise and shine forth in your schools with hard work, honesty, and integrity. If you are struggling or discouraged with your performance in school, seek help from your parents, teachers, and helpful Church members. Never give up!”  

Atonement

My Position on the Atonement

The atonement has been the light during a dark time in my life. Returning to activity in the church was one of the hardest things I have ever done and I wanted to do it right. I read a lot about repentance and the atonement and recorded my thoughts and findings in a journal. As I met with my bishop, all we talked about  was the atonement of Jesus Christ. He asked me to go home think about and pray about what the atonement of Jesus Christ means to me. As I did, I realized that my prior research was based on logic and reasoning. It takes faith and spiritual will to feel the full effect of the atonement. When I went back to the bishop my heart was full and I had a testimony of the atonement to guide me through the repentance process. 

Quotes

1. Elder Brent H Nielson – April 2015 Conference “Waiting for the Prodigal” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/04/waiting-for-the-prodigal?lang=eng

“All of us fall short of the glory of the Father (see Romans 3:23). All of us need the Savior’s Atonement to heal us. All of us are lost and need to be found.”

2.President Thomas S. Monson – October 2014 Conference “Ponder the Path of Thy Feet” htatps://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/ponder-the-path-of-thy-feet?lang=eng

“As we strive to place Christ at the center of our lives by learning His words, by following His teachings, and by walking in His path, He has promised to share with us the eternal life that He died to gain.”

3. President Henry B. Eyring- April 2015 Conference “The Comforter” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/04/the-comforter?lang=eng

“That is part of the great plan of happiness the Father gave us. He allowed His Son to provide, by His atoning sacrifice, the hope that comforts us no matter how hard the way home to Him may be.”

4. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf- April 2015 “The Gift Grace” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/04/the-gift-of-grace?lang=eng

“I marvel to think that the Son of God would condescend to save us, as imperfect, impure, mistake-prone, and ungrateful as we often are. I have tried to understand the Savior’s Atonement with my finite mind, and the only explanation I can come up with is this: God loves us deeply, perfectly, and everlastingly.”

5. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf- April 2015 “The Gift Grace” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/04/the-gift-of-grace?lang=eng

“Our sins, though they may be as scarlet, can become white as snow. Because our beloved Savior “gave himself a ransom for all,” an entrance into His everlasting kingdom is provided unto us.”

6. Elder Richard G. Scott-October 2013 “Personal Strength through the Atonement of Jesus Christ” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/personal-strength-through-the-atonement-of-jesus-christ?lang=eng

“The joyful news for anyone who desires to be rid of the consequences of past poor choices is that the Lord sees weaknesses differently than He does rebellion. Whereas the Lord warns that unrepented rebellion will bring punishment, when the Lord speaks of weaknesses, it is always with mercy.”

7. Elder Richard G. Scott-October 2013 “Personal Strength through the Atonement of Jesus Christ” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/personal-strength-through-the-atonement-of-jesus-christ?lang=eng

“Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, each of us can become clean and the burden of our rebellion will be lifted. Remember, repentance is not punishment. It is the hope-filled path to a more glorious future.”

8. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland- April 2015  Where Justice, Love, and Mercy Meet  https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/04/where-justice-love-and-mercy-meet?lang=eng

 “We should always remember (we promise in our weekly sacramental prayers that we will), nevertheless this is the most sacred day of the year for special remembrance of brotherly hands and determined arms that reached into the abyss of death to save us from our fallings and our failings, from our sorrows and our sins.”

9. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland- April 2015  Where Justice, Love, and Mercy Meet  https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/04/where-justice-love-and-mercy-meet?lang=eng

“Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, suffered, died, and rose from death in order that He could, like lightning in a summer storm, grasp us as we fall, hold us with His might, and through our obedience to His commandments, lift us to eternal life.”

10. By Linda K. Burton – Oct. 2012 Is Faith in the Atonement of Jesus Christ Written in Our Hearts? https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/10/is-faith-in-the-atonement-of-jesus-christ-written-in-our-hearts?lang=eng&query=atonement

“We have felt that Heavenly Father would first have us help His beloved daughters understand the doctrine of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. As we do so, we know our faith will increase, as will our desire to live righteously.”