He Wept

3 Nephi 17: 21 states: "And when he had said these words, he wept, and the multitude bare record of it, and he took their little children, one by one, and blessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them". I love the phrase "he wept". Isn't it amazing to think that an omniscient and omnipotent God weeps because of us? Such a supreme being loves us each so much, that he weeps. In contrast, I know that he rejoices when we come unto Him. We are infinitely, eternally, and unconditionally loved by our Heavenly Father. I challenge you to live your life in a way that reflects this great truth. Cleave unto this knowledge in times of trial and hardship. He is your loving Father. He will provide, protect, and comfort. He will never leave you.

An Individual and Intimate Savior

Christ's visit to the Americas is the crowning event in the Book of Mormon. When Christ descends, he invites each individual to come and "Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the God of Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world" (3 Nephi 11:14). They went "one by one" to have a personal moment with their personal Savior. Christ takes time for us one by one. He knows us perfectly, far better than we know ourselves.
Last night I received a powerful witness of this divine truth. I have been suffering with migraines for the past few days, and the Relief Society president recommend that I get a blessing. My best friend's
fiance and my hometeacher came over to give me a blessing. Although it was a blessing of healing, the words spoken were not focused on that. My hometeacher blessed me with hope and faith in the Lord. He told me that my Heavenly Father and my Savior know me perfectly and know the desires of my heart. They love me perfectly, I am a daughter of Heavenly Father, and Christ atoned for me personally. It was amazing to be reminded of this in my Book of Mormon lecture, to ponder it when I got home, and then for it to be reiterated in a blessing.
I would like to testify to you that our Heavenly Father and Savior know us personally. Christ knows how to comfort and bless us. He atoned for you and me individually, he is our personal and intimate Savior. I challenge you to pray to feel of His love. I challenge you to ponder His role in your life- as your Savior, Redeemer, and your elder brother. I testify that as you do so, you too will feel the love of your Savior and the power of His infinite and intimate atonement.

Poisoned By Degrees

The story of Amalickiah and Lahonti is one of my favorites. At first, Lahonti stay strong against the beckoning call of Amalickiah. After much entreaty, he and his guards finally meet Amalickiah just outside his camp. Lahonti makes a deal with Amalickiah, and allows him to enter his camp. In verse 18 of Alma 47, it states: "And it came to pass that Amalickiah caused that one of his servants should administer poison by degrees to Lehonti, that he died." Not only was Lahonti poisoned by degrees, but he also left the safety of his camp by degrees.
How often do we leave the safety of the Lord's side? We may not be tempted to go out and commit a heinous sin, but Lucifer knows that he is much more effective when he can slowly but surely lure us from our refuge of safety. We rationalize our behavior, and before we know it, we are poisoned by degrees until we die. These changes can come slowly enough that we may not even recognize what is happening.
The surest way to avoid the grasp of Satan is to stay as far from him as possible. If you stay as far from the edge as possible, you won't fall. I challenge you to re-commit yourself to living the gospel more fully. Study your scriptures and pray daily. Attend church, Institute, and the temple. These things will bless your life and keep you from straying. Remember, Satan will tempt you by degrees until he can kill you by degrees. Stay strong, endure well, and the Lord will bless you eternally.