My Gospel Thoughts

I remember feeling like I had done everything I could, and it still wasn’t enough.

But then, almost out of nowhere, things started to shift. Opportunities opened up, and I felt this sense of peace that I hadn’t felt in a long time. Looking back, I can see that God’s hand was all over that situation, guiding me to where I needed to be. I didn’t realize it in the moment, but He was delivering me in ways I couldn’t even imagine.

In Alma 53, we see how the Stripling Warriors were preserved not just by their physical strength but by their spiritual strength, rooted in their covenants. Their story reminds us that when we prioritize our covenants with God, we invite His marvelous power into our lives.

I’d like to challenge you today to reflect on your own covenants with God. Are there areas where you can be more exact in keeping them? As you strive to live your covenants more fully, watch how God’s power manifests in your life.

Courage isn’t the absence of fear; it’s the determination to act in spite of fear.

Hey everyone, welcome back to My Gospel Thoughts. I’m Scott Laxton, and today I’m excited to dive back into our discussion on the Great Plan of Happiness… 

So, this week, we’ve talked about a couple different aspects of the plan, but today, I really want to focus on something that’s so essential—hope… 

Specifically, the hope that comes through Jesus Christ...

There’s a scripture in Alma 41:10 that I think really nails this concept:

"Do not suppose, because it has been spoken concerning restoration, that ye shall be restored from sin to happiness. Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness."

It’s pretty straightforward, right? True happiness—like, the real deal—comes from living righteously and following Christ.

And if you think about it, have you ever noticed how things just don’t feel right when we’re not living in line with our values? It’s like… we know deep down that something’s off. But when we align ourselves with God’s will, that’s where the real joy kicks. That’s where peace fills our soul.

...I turned to the Savior—I prayed, I really dug into the scriptures—and slowly but surely, I felt that hope start to come back. 

Have you ever had that kind of experience? Where you’re just at the end of your rope, and then… boom, there’s that sense of clarity and purpose again.

So, let’s talk about how we can actually build and strengthen this kind of hope in our daily lives. Here are a few things that have worked for me:

As you’re thinking about today’s message, I want to challenge you—yeah, you heard me, a challenge—to set a goal for yourself. What’s one thing you can do this week to really dig into this idea of hope? Maybe it’s spending a little extra time in the scriptures, maybe it’s praying a bit more earnestly, or maybe it’s just finding more ways to stay positive. To let hope be alive in your being. Whatever it is, focus on it and write it down. I’d love to hear how it goes for you.

I want to leave you with a quote from Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf. He said:

"Hope in God, His goodness, and His power refreshes us with courage during difficult challenges. Hope in Christ brings us peace, strength, and joy."

So, what do you think? How can you bring that hope into your daily life?

Today we're diving into the great plan of happiness and how understanding this plan is so crucial to our spiritual journey and eternal happiness as we explore the great plan of happiness and why it's so essential to our spiritual journey. I want to start by explaining what it is… So, this plan is often referred to as the plan of salvation, and it's God's plan for his children to achieve eternal happiness and return to his presence it encompasses the creation, the fall, the atonement of Jesus Christ, and the resurrection…

As we reflect on Alma’s counsel, let’s consider how we can embrace the path of repentance in our lives. Here are a few practical ways to do so:

1. Daily Reflection: Regularly reflect on your actions and seek the Lord’s guidance in identifying areas where you need to repent.

2. Sincere Prayer: Approach the Lord in sincere prayer, asking for forgiveness and the strength to change.

3. Scripture Study: Study the scriptures to understand the principles of repentance and gain insights on how to apply them in your life.

4. Seek Support: Don’t hesitate to seek support from your bishop or trusted leaders. They can provide counsel and guidance in your repentance process.

Alma’s instruction to Helaman underscores the importance of keeping and preserving sacred records. These records not only serve as a historical account but also as a source of spiritual guidance and testimony for future generations.