This weekend our family (possessed of two seminary students) came face to face with the reality that reading the entire Doctrine and Covenants (plus a few other bits) is required to graduate from the Church History course this year.

Luckily, we had been reading from the Doctrine and Covenants this year. So though we had been a bit desultory, we’d read Sections 1-50 and 76-100 by Friday night. Tallying up the amount of time it would take to listen to the other sections, we only had 7 hours of reading ahead of us…

It’s been fascinating for me to consume the Doctrine and Covenants as fast as we’ve been doing today, listening with my autistic daughter to the audio narration available in the Gospel Library app at 1.5x speed, 20 minute stints broken up by 10 minute breaks.

It has been heartbreaking, knowing the story of the individuals mentioned (particularly in Section 124), to see the glorious blessings they were promised, if only they would remain faithful. And to those with an ear to hear, there are strong warnings to those in our own day who reject the gospel and try to make it over in their own image.

I have enjoyed participating in Book of Mormon read-a-thons. I believe a Doctrine and Covenants read-a-thon would be a great experience as well (and completely doable for a single day). Certainly our own little half-the-book marathon today has been memorable.

In that light, I encourage you to continue reading the Book of Mormon, but know that if you get a bit behind, you will have “light” days where you can catch up on readings if a particular experience takes more time that you have available.

To jump to a particular day, click on one of the links below:
Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Day 9 | Day 10 |
Day 11 | Day 12 | Day 13 | Day 14 | Day 15 | Day 16 | Day 17 | Go to Top

Day 11 (Saturday)

We can strengthen our ability to feel the promptings of the Holy Ghost by living worthily and recording in our minds and journals the times we have been prompted and what happened.

When President Monson was a young man, he felt prompted to visit a friend who was confined to a wheel chair. It wasn’t until years later that his friend confided that he’d been about to wheel himself into the pool in an attempt to end it all when “Tommy” Monson entered pool room that day. Likewise, God will let us be His angels if we heed His voice.

Book of Mormon: Read Jacob 2-6: Jacob preaches a sermon condemning pride and immorality. Jacob repeats the parable of the olive grove, which foreshadows the restoration and millennial reign of Christ.

Start and complete Choice and Accountability 5: Learn how the Holy Ghost can help you make good decisions in your daily life. Seek the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost.

Start Faith 4: Establish a pattern of pondering Christ’s atonement and the gospel during the sacrament (3 weeks)

Remember to:

• Review and keep your standards (day 11 of 31)
• Pray morning and evening (day 10 of 21)
• Continue your new habit related to personal integrity (day 9 of 21)
• Continue your habit of regular scripture study and prayer (day 8 of 21)
• Work on the three standards you decided to improve upon (day 7 of 21)
• Record the quiet acts of service others perform (day 6 of 14)
• Read your patriarchal blessing or set an appointment to get a recommend for one (reminder 5 of 21)
• Help plan meals, obtain/prepare food, and gather the family for mealtimes. (day 4 of 14)
• Increase your understanding of the atonement and plan to share your testimony.
• Ponder Christ’s atonement and the gospel during the sacrament (week 1 of 3)

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Day 9 | Day 10 |
Day 11 | Day 12 | Day 13 | Day 14 | Day 15 | Day 16 | Day 17 | Go to Top

Day 12 (Sunday)

I love how Nephi chose to obey God’s commandment to create a set of plates for spiritual things.

Even though we don’t have the 116 pages, I am glad for the oral history of some parts, describing how the Urim and Thummim were used to translate sacred records that were otherwise unreadable. The holy man would look into the stones with their head covered with an animal skin, and the interpreters would show what the incomprehensible text meant in the language of the new people – and this is similar to how we know Joseph translated or interpreted the Golden Plates.

Book of Mormon: Read Jacob 7 – Mosiah 1: Sherem denies the Christ, Enos prays, and a bunch of others scrawl a tiny bit in the small plates of Nephi, just in time to match up with where the 116 pages ended, half-way through the book of Mosiah (father of King Benjamin, the one the book was actually named after – so cool how that ended up working out, but still wish we had the original Mormon summary of the first 400 years and the discussion of the Urim and Thummim).

Start and complete Choice and Accountability 6: Study the Young Women theme and record daily actions (about modesty, dating, and media to remain free, happy, and worthy to enter the temple.

Start Faith 3: Arrange to teach a lesson (maybe at family home evening tomorrow) on how faith helps you live a specific gospel principle.

Remember to:

• Review and keep your standards (day 12 of 31)
• Pray morning and evening (day 11 of 21)
• Continue your new habit related to personal integrity (day 10 of 21)
• Continue your habit of regular scripture study and prayer (day 9 of 21)
• Work on the three standards you decided to improve upon (day 8 of 21)
• Record the quiet acts of service others perform (day 7 of 14)
• Read your patriarchal blessing or set an appointment to get a recommend for one (reminder 6 of 21)
• Help plan meals, provide food, and gather the family for mealtimes. (5 of 14)
• Increase your understanding of the atonement and plan to share your testimony.
• Ponder Christ’s atonement and the gospel during the sacrament. (week 1 of 3)
• Teach a lesson this week about how faith helps you live a gospel principle.

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Day 9 | Day 10 |
Day 11 | Day 12 | Day 13 | Day 14 | Day 15 | Day 16 | Day 17 | Go to Top

Day 13 (Monday)

The knowledge we have that we are eternal, that we are loved of God as His children is unique among all the religions of the world. This is truly one of the plain and precious things, with only the slightest remnant remaining in the Bible to hint of this great truth.

Because we see all people of the world as our eternal brothers and sisters, we should of all people be able to love, despite class and race and national origin. Is it any wonder that only Mormonism provides a mechanism for all mankind across all generations to be saved, by means of temple ordinances?

Book of Mormon: Read Mosiah 2-7: King Benjamin gives his great sermon speaking of service. The Land of Nephi is re-discovered and we begin the flashback to the stories of Abinadi, King Noah, and Alma.

Begin and complete Faith 2: Arrange to teach a lesson (maybe at family home evening tomorrow) on how faith helps you live a specific gospel principle.

Start Faith 6: Make something to help you explain the plan of salvation, use it to explain it to someone else and describe how this knowledge strengthens your faith. I’ll remind you for 2 weeks.

Remember to:

• Review and keep your standards (day 13 of 31)
• Pray morning and evening (day 12 of 21)
• Continue your new habit related to personal integrity (day 11 of 21)
• Continue your habit of regular scripture study and prayer (day 10 of 21)
• Work on the three standards you decided to improve upon (day 9 of 21)
• Record the quiet acts of service others perform (day 8 of 14)
• Read your patriarchal blessing or set an appointment to get a recommend for one (reminder 7 of 21)
• Help plan meals, provide food, and gather the family for mealtimes. (day 6 of 14)
• Increase your understanding of the atonement and plan to share your testimony.
• Ponder Christ’s atonement and the gospel during the sacrament. (week 1 of 3)
• Teach a lesson this week about how faith helps you live a gospel principle.
• Explain the plan of salvation and how it builds your faith. (reminder 1 of 14)

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Day 9 | Day 10 |
Day 11 | Day 12 | Day 13 | Day 14 | Day 15 | Day 16 | Day 17 | Go to Top

Day 14 (Tuesday)

There is joy in doing something. The Individual Worth experience you will start today talks about participating in a performance. But singing and dancing aren’t the only things you could do her.

My daughter is very good at making things, from throwing pottery to spinning yard and knitting, crocheting, or weaving that yarn. Showing others how to do these kinds of things is also a kind of “performance” that you may find you’ve already done.

 

Book of Mormon: Read Mosiah 8-14: The people of Limhi tell the history of King Noah and Abinadi. Abinadi is captured and preaches the gospel in chains.

Start and complete Individual Worth 1: You are a child of Heavenly Father, who knows you and loves you. Record how the scripture readings in this experience teach you God knows you, loves you, and is mindful of you.

Begin Individual Worth 5: Plan to participate in a dance, speech, or other performance. This is one where I’ll bet you have something you’ve already done that you can count. But I’ll remind you for a week.

Remember to:

• Review and keep your standards (day 14 of 31)
• Pray morning and evening (day 13 of 21)
• Continue your new habit related to personal integrity (day 12 of 21)
• Continue your habit of regular scripture study and prayer (day 11 of 21)
• Work on the three standards you decided to improve upon (day 10 of 21)
• Record the quiet acts of service others perform (day 9 of 14)
• Read your patriarchal blessing or set an appointment to get a recommend for one (reminder 8 of 21)
• Help plan meals, provide food, and gather the family for mealtimes. (day 7 of 14)
• Increase your understanding of the atonement and plan to share your testimony.
• Ponder Christ’s atonement and the gospel during the sacrament. (week 1 of 3)
• Teach a lesson this week about how faith helps you live a gospel principle.
• Explain the plan of salvation and how it builds your faith. (reminder 2 of 14)
• Participate in a performance or give a speech. (reminder 1 of 7)

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Day 9 | Day 10 |
Day 11 | Day 12 | Day 13 | Day 14 | Day 15 | Day 16 | Day 17 | Go to Top

Day 15 (Wednesday)

One of the most precious experiences a woman can have is rearing children within the context of a loving family.

Sometimes that isn’t realistic, as in the case of my daughter who is autistic.

No matter what your situation, dream of the best future you can hope for, and work to make that hope a reality.

 

Book of Mormon: Today is a free day. If you’re behind in your reading or any of the value experiences, use this time to catch up.

Start and complete Individual Worth 4: Make a list of your hopes and dreams for your future regarding home, family, and education and accomplishments. Document your plan to achieve these goals.

Begin Individual Worth 3: Each day for two weeks notice and acknowledge the worthwhile qualities and attributes of others.

Remember to:

• Review and keep your standards (day 15 of 31)
• Pray morning and evening (day 14 of 21)
• Continue your new habit related to personal integrity (day 13 of 21)
• Continue your habit of regular scripture study and prayer (day 12 of 21)
• Work on the three standards you decided to improve upon (day 11 of 21)
• Record the quiet acts of service others perform (day 10 of 14)
• Read your patriarchal blessing or set an appointment to get a recommend for one (reminder 9 of 21)
• Help plan meals, provide food, and gather the family for mealtimes. (day 8 of 14)
• Increase your understanding of the atonement and plan to share your testimony.
• Ponder Christ’s atonement and the gospel during the sacrament. (week 1 of 3)
• Teach a lesson this week about how faith helps you live a gospel principle.
• Explain the plan of salvation and how it builds your faith. (reminder 3 of 14)
• Participate in a performance or give a speech. (reminder 2 of 7)
• Notice and acknowledge the worthwhile qualities and attributes of others. (day 1 of 14)

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Day 9 | Day 10 |
Day 11 | Day 12 | Day 13 | Day 14 | Day 15 | Day 16 | Day 17 | Go to Top

Day 16 (Thursday)

We are free to choose our actions, but we are not free to choose the consequences of our actions.

God grants us free agency, and this is why He allows us to make choices, even when those choices cause terrible harm to others.

Christ can save us from the sins we have committed if we repent. Christ will also save us from the eternal consequences of the actions of others if we desire and can lift these burdens from us even in this life.

Book of Mormon: Read Mosiah 15-22: Alma believes the words of Abinadi, but King Noah kills Abinadi. The Lamanites attack King Noah, who flees but is killed for his cowardice.

Start and complete Individual Worth 7: Ask someone close to you to list positive qualities the Lord has given you. Write how you can continue to develop these gifts and use them to serve your family and others.

Begin Divine Nature 2: Interview a mother you admire and ask about the attributes she thinks are important for being a good mother. For two weeks, work on one of these attributes in your own life.

Remember to:

• Review and keep your standards (day 16 of 31)
• Pray morning and evening (day 15 of 21)
• Continue your new habit related to personal integrity (day 14 of 21)
• Continue your habit of regular scripture study and prayer (day 13 of 21)
• Work on the three standards you decided to improve upon (day 12 of 21)
• Record the quiet acts of service others perform (day 11 of 14)
• Read your patriarchal blessing or set an appointment to get a recommend for one (reminder 10 of 21)
• Help plan meals, provide food, and gather the family for mealtimes. (day 9 of 14)
• Increase your understanding of the atonement and plan to share your testimony.
• Ponder Christ’s atonement and the gospel during the sacrament. (week 1 of 3)
• Teach a lesson this week about how faith helps you live a gospel principle.
• Explain the plan of salvation and how it builds your faith. (reminder 4 of 14)
• Participate in a performance or give a speech. (reminder 3 of 7)
• Notice and acknowledge the worthwhile qualities and attributes of others. (day 2 of 14)
• Improve an attribute important to being a good mother. (day 1 of 14)

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Day 9 | Day 10 |
Day 11 | Day 12 | Day 13 | Day 14 | Day 15 | Day 16 | Day 17 | Go to Top

Day 17 (Friday)

The Book of Mormon gives us the wonderful stories of Alma the father and Alma the son. As a young person, each of them was involved in teaching wrong things.

Alma the father made a choice to heed the preaching of Abinadi, and blessed unknown numbers of people.

Alma the son made the choice to repent even though he had earlier rejected God and preached against the Church. I suspect Alma would tell you the wrongs he had done were far worse than anything you might have done. If he could repent, so can you.

Book of Mormon: Read Mosiah 23-28: Alma and his people escape from the Lamanites and rejoin the Nephites in Zarahemla. The sons of Alma and Mosiah fight the Church but experience a miracle that converts them.

Complete Faith 3: Review the scriptures listed in this experience and reflect on the lesson you taught about how faith helps you live a specific gospel principle.

There’s no long-term experience scheduled to start today. Take a glance at future long-term experiences – there might be something you’d like to get started earlier than planned in my schedule.

Remember to:

• Review and keep your standards (day 17 of 31)
• Pray morning and evening (day 16 of 21)
• Continue your new habit related to personal integrity (day 15 of 21)
• Continue your habit of regular scripture study and prayer (day 14 of 21)
• Work on the three standards you decided to improve upon (day 13 of 21)
• Record the quiet acts of service others perform (day 12 of 14)
• Read your patriarchal blessing or set an appointment to get a recommend for one (reminder 11 of 21)
• Help plan meals, provide food, and gather the family for mealtimes. (day 10 of 14)
• Increase your understanding of the atonement and plan to share your testimony.
• Ponder Christ’s atonement and the gospel during the sacrament. (week 1 of 3)
• Explain the plan of salvation and how it builds your faith. (reminder 5 of 14)
• Participate in a performance or give a speech. (reminder 4 of 7)
• Notice and acknowledge the worthwhile qualities and attributes of others. (day 3 of 14)
• Improve an attribute important to being a good mother. (day 2 of 14)

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Day 9 | Day 10 |
Day 11 | Day 12 | Day 13 | Day 14 | Day 15 | Day 16 | Day 17 | Go to Top