The {Stories} of the ten lepers and being thankful.

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving! 

We read in the book of Luke about the ten lepers---



"And as he entered into a certain village,there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off."(Luke 17:12)

And they pleaded with The Lord to make them clean---

"And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master have mercy on us." (Luke 17:13)



 Jesus Christ saw them, and told them to go to the priests, when the ten lepers turned to go to the priests the lepers were cleansed.---

"...Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed." (Luke 17:14)

But only one out of the nine came back and thanked The Lord for healing him. This one man thanked The Lord and kissed his feet, and gave all they glory to God.---

"And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God... And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him, thanks..." (Luke 17:15-16)





Our wonderful Sister Roden invited us over for a Family Home Evening last night, and this is the story that she told. It was so much fun listening to the children in the room say things they were thankful for. 

Our Heavenly Father has blessed us with everything we have, and sometimes we may not think its enough, or at least I have. 

Until one day last week I was reading in the book of Alma Chapter 29 verse 3 which read "....For I ought to be content with the things the Lord hath allotted unto me." 

Hmmm... I think the Lord was trying to humble me. He is very good at that! I stopped to think about all the wonderful gifts and talents He has blessed me with. I soon realized that The Lord has already blessed me with more than I deserve. 

So, many times we forget to thank The Lord, like the nine lepers who were healed. They may have had the faith to be healed, but they didn't give The Lord thanks. 

When looking back on all the wonderful things we have in life, we forget that they were given to us from our Heavenly Father.

Alma 29:6 It tells us "Now, seeing that I know these things, why should I desire more to perform the work to which I have been called?

We should never expect more, if we aren't doing anything to receive more and most importantly if were  not thanking The Lord.

I know that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ He can heal us, I know that Heavenly Father has blessed each one of His Children with different gifts and talents.

And continues to give us more and more. 

I invite everyone to think about the things Heavenly Father has given us, and thank Him. Don't be one of the nine lepers and forget to thank The Lord for all that we have.  

I love you all very much and say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 

Love, Sister Ashcroft

The {Stories} of Scriptures and Friendships

Hello, Hello!  
Let's chat! 
About the Scriptures and Friendships! 
Wait, huh? 
Yep, Friendships! We find them throughout the scriptures! What makes a friendship stronger?

As we read in the scriptures, we read different accounts of friendships! In the scriptures we read about the friendship bonds many people had, but we're made stronger through the Gospel Principles.

In the Old Testament we read about the friendship of David and Johnathan. 

Jonathan the son of King Saul, was a valiant solider and a worthy prince of Israel.But when David came into the scene, Jonathan did not have the amount of glory or praise. David had just had a victorious battle over Goliath, and also was anointed by the Prophet Samuel.

David could have easily became a threat to Jonathan, especially since Jonathan's Father was King and he could have possibly been next in line. But David was anointed by the Prophet Samuel and he was a man called of God. 

Jealously and anger could have stepped in the way, but Jonathan loved David so much that he claimed their souls to become knit.

“the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul” (1 Sam. 18:1).

David and Jonathan loved each other so much that they made a "covenant of loyalty".

"Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul."(1 Sam. 18:4)

The King Saul became evil and seeked to kill David, but Jonathan secretly assisted David and protected him. 

 “the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee” (1 Sam. 23:17). 

And always they renewed their covenant of friendship and loyalty

  The friendship of Jonathan and David is a great example of loyalty and protection.

While serving my mission I have met many great Missionaries. But My MTC companion, Sister Joseph is my "Jonathan and David" friendship. We had an instant connection. She has been a great example to me, and has helped me immensely on my mission. I know that she would do anything for me, and I would do anything for her! And, that's all because of the Spirit. We have a special connection because of the Spirit! 

(Picture Credit to Sister Joseph and the "For the Strength of Youth" pamphlet)

 

The Book of Mormon teaches of very special friendships that became stronger when it is focused on gospel principles.

When Alma the younger and the son's of Mosiah were out to destroy the church. Alma the younger's father, Alma had been praying for his son have a change of heart. Alma's prayers were answered! An Angel apperared to Alma the Younger and the Sons of Mosiah saying...

"...If thou wilt of thayself be destroyed, seek no more to destroy the church of God." (Alma 36:9)

The scriptures tell us that Alma the Younger was not able to open his mouth, neither use his limbs for a space of three days. And when we awoke from his "sleep" the scriptures tell us that...

“Alma did rejoice exceedingly to see his brethren; and what added more to his joy, they were still his brethren in the Lord; yea, and they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God.

“But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God” (Alma 17:2–3).

The four of us Sisters come from all different parts of the world! Virgina, Texas, New Zealand and New Mexico! Our Friendships have been built off of the Spirit, we have a bond and connection that brings us closer together through living the Gospel principles.

Having good friends who chose live the Gospel of Jesus Christ makes it easier for us to live the Gospel Principles. 

When you developed friendships based off the Gospel we can recieve more strength and blessings.

I am so grateful that I had friends who were faithful to my standards and beliefs. I'm grateful that I had their support, because it made it easier for me to make right choices. Since being on a mission and making new friends, I'm making friends that will last a life time because of our love for the Gospel. I love this with all my heart! I know that it can strengthed families and friendship relations. 

I love you all, and I am so extermely grateful for those who take the time to read my BLOG! Thanks a millions! 

Love, 
Sister Ashcroft :)