Mosiah 1:3-4

“Were it not for these plates, which contain these records and these commandments, we must have suffered in ignorance, even at this present time, not knowing the mysteries of God….Lehi did teach them to his children, that thereby they could teach them to their children, and so fulfilling the commandments of God, even down to this present time.”

I do not know when I marked these verses, but I am so glad I did. It caused me to pause in my reading and consider what meaning I must have gleaned from them before. One of the most effective ways for me to read scripture is by putting myself in the present situation: when I read those words in Mosiah, I think, “Were it not for these scriptures, I would be suffering in ignorance. The scriptures are given to me at this day for the purpose of fulfilling the commandments of God. My parents used the scriptures to teach me, and one day I must also teach my children the word of God.”

I am so thankful to be born of goodly parents, as Nephi would say. My mom and dad reared me in the gospel and taught me essential truths that carry my testimony today. My dad is a scriptorian, and knows the word of God inside and out. Not only does he know the words, but he also lives them. He is a wonderful example—like Lehi—of teaching the word to his children and “so fulfilling the commandments of God.” I hope to fulfill this commandment as well, when I have a family of my own. I am so grateful for the opportunities I have to study the word of God, and my testimony is strengthened as I do.

I should really start doing family history work.

This week, we were asked to read an address given by President Uchtdorf in July at a city-wide celebration for the Ogden Temple dedication. He said, “Our pioneer ancestors will be most pleased if you learn something from their sacrifice, and if it makes a difference to you and your children.” He used the hymn “Come, Come Ye Saints” as a point of reference for his talk. Pioneers sang the words, “All is well.” Actually, all was not well, but their happiness was not based on outward circumstances. The pioneers learned to have faith and trust in God. The best way that I can show my gratitude to my pioneer ancestors is by incorporating faithfulness, compassion, love, industry, optimism, and joy into my own life.

I have had many opportunities to learn about my pioneer ancestors. I was lucky enough to attend trek twice- once when I was fourteen, and most recently, this summer. The experiences that I had while re-enacting what the pioneers went through have shaped the person I am today. It gave me a reason to research my own ancestors, and when I learned about the specific things they went through, I felt a connection to them. From this connection, I feel a stronger desire to find my ancestors through FamilySearch and do their temple work. When I have family names to take to the temple, my experience is so much more meaningful and it makes me excited to go through and take out my own endowments. So, you see, learning about my family ties makes them happy, makes me happy, and will benefit my future family for eternities to come.

"Insurance"

My name is Nena and I am eighteen years old. I am an avid tennis player and a semi-professional sleeper. I wish I could say that I like running, but I have tried and failed too many times to feel honest about that tidbit. I like to eat cookies and spinach and milk, not necessarily together. Born and raised in Davis County UT—surrounded by immediate and extended family—I don’t consider myself extremely cultured. I am perfectly at ease with that realization.

 As the oldest daughter of eight children, I do however consider myself well versed in Disney songs and SpongeBob episodes. Let’s begin with the youngest—Gabriel—who is eleven months old. His jowls are reminiscent of Elder Holland’s, which is a good thing because he is clearly an amazing man. Jack is three and Anna is eight going on fifteen. They are the beautiful ones of the family and they know it. Ashlei is the tender age of ten, and she enjoys waking up in the early morning to read less-than-noteworthy literature before school. Grace began high school this year, and I am quite jealous that she gets to play on the tennis team. Jens is a junior, sixteen years old, and a total lady slayer. My oldest brother—Max—is twenty and currently serving a mission in Mexico City. My parents met in high school, dated, went to Hawaii and Canada for school and a mission, got engaged ten days after my dad returned home, and the rest is history. We are a happy family!

We are a happy family. My home truly is my favorite place to be. As excited as I am for school here at BYU, it is difficult to know that Gabe is cutting teeth and Jack is starting preschool and Anna is breaking hearts and Ash is growing up and Grace is finding her niche and Jens is dating girls without my approval, all while I am gone. At least Max is still on his mission so I’m not the only one away. It has been a transition to say the least: living with one really clean, really quiet, really wonderful person as opposed to nine really messy, really loud, really wonderful people. I love it.

I am unequivocally grateful for the opportunity that is mine to continue my education here at BYU. Already, I am being pulled from every direction. My classes are rigorous and time-consuming. My job is not so rigorous, but equally time-consuming. My calling is insanely rigorous and very time-consuming. Yet, simultaneously I feel immense joy from the service and education and love and patience and people-skills and humility that come with these duties. So with the help of a day-planner and the comforting influence of the Holy Spirit, I know that I can do this.

            You may think I am your typical Mormon: born into the covenant, baptized at age eight, gone to church with my large family for my whole entire life. While all of those statements are true, I am not your typical Mormon. How can something that is so personal and sacred to me be merely typical? I digress. My testimony is not ordinary, nor is it complete. My goal this year is to continue to develop a working, trusting relationship with Heavenly Father. That is my desire, and it is also a necessity. I love my Savior Jesus Christ and am only beginning to know and understand Him in my life. I have a testimony of the Atonement. I know that it can be drawn upon for comfort, for understanding, and for a lot of love.