PERSONAL 520

SPIRITUAL 416

LDS 312

BOOK OF MORMON 237

SCRIPTURES 154

STUDIO-JOURNEY 129

RELIGION 112

LINUX 79

COMPUTERS 65

LIFE 60

GENERAL CONFERENCE 46

GENTOO 39

MISCELLANEOUS 37

MUSIC 37

PROGRAMMING 33

CARS 29

MICROSOFT 23

FAMILY 23

AUDIO 21

I LOVE MY JOURNAL 18

FUN 15

CHILDREN 12

CURRENT EVENTS 10

NATURE'S WAY 10

VIDEO 9

DRM 9

CONEXM 7

BABBLINGS 7

PROVO CITY CENTER TEMPLE 6

FRIENDS 6

HEROD THE FINK 5

GAMES 5

COMPUTER HARDWARE 5

DRUMS 4

HAND OF GOD 3

ADVERSITY 3

KDENLIVE 3

AUDIO HARDWARE 3

GENERAL INSANITY 3

STUDIO 3

THANKS4GIVING 2

CATS 2

MY JOURNAL 1

POETRY 1

FOREVERGREEN 1

EVERYDAY THOUGHTS 1

GOSPEL 1

PARENTING 1

YOUTH CONFERENCE 1

CHURCH NOTES 1

POLITICS 1

Of course, verse 1 immediately reminds me of verse chapter 36 and what I wrote about that.  But then, verse 2 held just as much interest for me.  First off, it seems that Alma talking to his three sons in these chapters has something to do with his being old enough to die at any time.  Yet, Alma's words talk about him having great joy to come in Shiblon.  I take this as meaning that Shiblon, should he continue to live his life the way he was then, would be able to live with his father in the afterlife, giving his father great joy.

Another interesting word found in verse two is "steadiness" along with faithfulness.  Alma could have chosen any words he wanted when declaring his faith in Shiblon keeping the commandments and being able to live with him in the afterlife - yet he chose "steadiness" and "faithfulness" .  Searching the scriptures for "steadiness" results in 6 matches.  Interesting that steadiness had part in the Nephites becoming very rich (found in Alma 1:29).  Whenever I come upon interesting details in the scriptures like this, I immediately compare my own life against the doctrine I find.  In the case of "steadiness", I have a long, long way to go.  Anyway... Pretty cool verse, 2 is.

Regarding verse 4, all I've got to say is:  How much easier is it to endure trials when the Lord is near?  Personally, through the trials I'm enduring right now, it seems the Lord is much more willing to shed His Spirit upon me when asked, and yes - it makes them much, much easier.  Casting my mind upon Gethsemane, I can only remember that twice, God withdrew His Spirit from Christ - leaving him totally, utterly, and completely alone to endure such an affliction.  I can't imagine what that must have been like.  I am so grateful Christ chose to complete his task, and stay steady in what he knew must be done - the blessings as a consequence certainly reach into the eternities.

Verse 5, as in chapter 36:3, is so great a promise.  I'm so grateful for this promise.

Verse 12 might come as a shock to anyone who subscribes to the beliefs of the main-stream media in today's world.  The world will tell you that unbridled passion is the way to true love.  Verse 12 states that in order to be filled with love, we need to bridle our passions.  Better advice can't be found.

That's all for today.

Slowly (VERY slowly), but surely, I'm gonna get every chapter from the Book of Mormon documented in my journal.