It was a good weekend.

1. Saturday we had a BBQ to celebrate my friend Becca's Birthday. Mexican style taquitos- yumm!

2. In preperation for the BBQ we finished laying our patio tiles, bricks, and firepit area. I think it looks pretty snazzy.

3. Cold Stone Ice Cream Cake for dessert. Not healthy at all- but oh so good.

4. Sunday Josh gave his first talk in primary. It was so cute. He practiced saying aloud what Jake whispered in his ear- and holding up his blue Book of Mormon when he talked about the scriptures (but when it came to that point in his actual talk he was so concerned about holding the microphone he just tapped on them as they were sitting on the podium next to him). Our little boy is growing up so fast. Here's Josh's talk:

"God gave us prophets to teach us what is right. Our prophet today is Thomas S. Monson. Prophets teach us that we should read and pray about the scriptures. The Book of Mormon is scripture that teach us about Jesus. I love to read my scriptures and say my prayers."

5. On Sunday I spoke in sacrament meeting. I mentioned a few days ago my first random thoughts on my topic. Included here is the outline of my talk. I didn't think it went all that well- but I got TONS of compliments- and Jake and Becca both said I did well.

My talk is on diligence and faith- with an emphasis on diligence
I’m very thankful for the subject I was assigned, as it has really lead me to understand how important diligence is in our salvation- yes you heard me right- I now believe diligence is a requirement to our salvation. Honestly- I had no idea how many times the word diligence was mentioned in the scriptures until I looked it up in the topical guide (there is an entire column of references!). As I read through and thought more about diligence I came to realize that it really is the 5th principle of the gospel. Don’t believe me- you’re thinking then why wasn’t it listed in the 4th article of faith?
Let me explain, as a missionary when we taught people what was then the2nd discussion we taught them about the first principles and ordinances of the gospel; faith, repentance, baptism, and the gift of the holy ghost- the discussion didn’t end there though- the last principle we taught them was the principle of obedience and enduring to the end. 2 Ne 31 is an excellent discourse on this subject verses 15 & 16 read….. There it is. Enduring to the end is required for salvation and I believe diligence is what Nephi referred to as enduring to the end.
The definitions of enduring and diligence are similar
Endure
To support adverse force or influence of any kind; suffer without yielding; suffer patiently
Surely this is important, but even Nephi is saying more beyond just “suffering life patiently” after baptism and the gift of the holy ghost. In verses 19-20 he says….
Diligence
1.constant and earnest effort to accomplish what is undertaken; persistent exertion of body or mind.
And that is what Nephi is really explaining here- and that is why throughout the scriptures we continue to see examples and teachings of diligence. So why ISN’T it listed in the fourth article of faith? Maybe because if we’ve truly developed FAITH diligence will then follow. Faith is always the seed for diligence. Ether 12:4 teaches us that…. So if faith gives us this anchor that leads to diligence and unwavering- why do we so often feel faith in something and then not remain diligent? That is because lasting faith, requires nourishment and work; Alma 32:41 teaches this…. Thus, while we must start with that hope and particle of faith, our faith becomes stronger after work- and over time work and faith will lead to true diligence.
In other words brothers and sisters, Do you DO because you KNOW? Or do you KNOW because you DO? If we feel we lack in faith- we can increase our efforts to be obedient (do, do,do), as we see the blessings that come from our efforts our faith is increased. If our faith is increased, our desire to work will increase- and over time we become diligent in that thing. That principle has now become a part of us. We have become changed. We no longer have a desire for evil- but to continue in the good unceasingly. When we have gained diligence in one principle of the gospel it will inspire faith, works and eventually diligence in other things as well. I believe this is what Alma is trying to convey in Alma 5- this discourse used to frustrate me because after verse 26 alma launches into a series of questions “are you humble, are you prideful, are you envious, so on and so on?” and I’d feel like- man I’ll never be everything I’m supposed to be- but if we look at verse 26 we can see that he’s not really trying to inspire guilt-
Alma5:26 says…
So what he’s really teaching us is that if we have felt faith and change- that is no enough- it must be the kind of change that continues to ask “can you feel so now?” or “is there yet more to change an gain faith in?”
That is when we’ve gained true diligence. When our diligence has moved from being diligent in certain aspects of the gospel- to being diligent in change of heart- of growing closer to our savior- of being truly committed to him.
I hope that brothers and sisters is what I can leave you with today- the desire to be diligent in change. Yes we can start by being diligent in certain aspects of the gospel- this is what ask (what am I diligent in and where do I need to learn to be more diligent)- but the greater diligence is diligence in continued growth and change- until we are prepared to meet our Father and say- I have done all that I can, and now with the Lord seek to be whole.
After that message there is one other thing I would like to share- and that is something that hit me with added force recently while teaching the laurels--- we were reading in 1 Nephi 16
Verse 28
As we seek to be diligent the Lord will guide our lives to OUR PROMISED LAND!