Today during lunch I was reading from my scriptures and I came across this scripture.

And then shall they know their Redeemer, who is Jesus Christ, the Son of God; and then shall they be gathered in from the four quarters of the earth unto their own lands, from whence they have been dispersed; yea, as the Lord liveth so shall it be. Amen. (3 Ne 5:26)

And while I was reading it a General Conference talk came particularly in mind - almost word for word. So I looked it up. I printed off a particular quote from it and put it in my scriptures for that chapter.

But the point that I'm trying to make is that just by reading one verse I was able to recall one particular General Conference talk and was able to match that with what I was reading in the scriptures. It's been a year since I've been listening to nothing but General Conference in my car and I'm finding that it has really changed my life.

Before I went on my mission a friend of mine mentioned to me that I knew the scriptures really good...that if we had a conversation and a particular scripture came up that I would know exactly where that scripture was. And I went on my mission and learned much more about the scriptures. And then I came home and for awhile I slipped with reading my scriptures and soon I lost that ability to recall various scriptures. I felt very disconnected and frustrated with myself.

And for this last year or so I've really wanted to get back to where I was before and while I was on my mission with my knowledge of the scriptures. I can now say that I'm doing better. It was really gratifying for myself this week to come up at the place in The Book of Mormon that I started reading from when I first bought this particular set of scriptures in March. So since March I've read the entire Book of Mormon cover to cover...I'm not trying to sound boastful....but for me...especially with where I've been spiritually lately thatis a huge thing for me. I've definately worked on my scripture reading and to get back to where I would like to be spiritually.

One big thing for me that I've had to come to terms with...I would get so down on myself if I hadn't read the scriptures in awhile. I found myself telling myself that "Yes....you listened to General Conference in your car...that's good...but you didn't read from your scriptures." But then I also know that General Conference is our modern scriptures. So... I guess I don't know what I'm trying to say other than the fact that...

From reading this simple verse in the Book of Mormon I was able to recall verbatim this General Conference talk from October 2006 (Russell M. Nelson). It shows to me, myself, that my spirituality is getting better. It shows to me that I'm putting into action what our modern prophets are telling us.

The Gospel does not change. It does not conform to what is going on in the world. The Gospel does not pick and choose. The Gospel was true back when Abraham was on the earth, it was true when Christ walked on the earth, it was true when Joseph Smith restored the Church, and it is still true today. From the scriptures we learn the words of God during that time period. Today we have General Conference as our modern scriptures. And if we really study them and ponder them they will have the same effect on our lives than the scriptures do.

Alright...I guess that's enough for right now. The Gospel is true!!!!