Rejoice in Christ!

With lots of crazy things going on in the world and with the simple distractions of life, I am grateful today more than ever for the reminder in Sunday School to REJOICE in Christ!!

I love Nephi's explanation as to why he shares so many of the words of Isaiah....2 Nephi 11:
"Behold, my soul delighteth in proving unto my people the truth of the coming of Christ; for, for this end hath the law of Moses been given; and all things which have been given of God from the beginning of the world, unto man, are the typifying of him.
"And also my soul delighteth in the covenants of the Lord which he hath made to our fathers; yea, my soul delighteth in his grace, and in his justice, and power, and mercy in the great and eternal plan of deliverance from death.
"And my soul delighteth in proving unto my people that save Christ should come all men must perish.
"For if there be no Christ there be no God; and if there be no God we are not, for there could have been no creation. But there is a God, and he is Christ, and he cometh in the fulness of his own time.
"And now I write some of the words of Isaiah, that whoso of my people shall see these words may lift up their hearts and rejoice for all men. Now these are the words, and ye may liken them unto you and unto all men."

.....after many wonderful insights and Messianic prophecies of Isaiah (that I need to study and understand better) we come back to Nephi and his plainness and clarity and this verse:
2 Nephi 25:26, "And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins."

I am grateful for Jesus Christ and the hope and peace and meaning that His life brings to my life!

On a related note, one very important way we come to know and rejoice in Christ is through the scriptures (as Nephi taught by example).  I was inspired by a discussion about improving scripture study today:

President Packer taught, "Make scripture reading a part of your regular routine, and the blessings will follow. There is in the scriptures a voice of warning, but there is also great nourishment." How have the scriptures nourished you?

President Benson said, “I am convinced that each of us, at least some time in our lives, must discover the scriptures for ourselves—and not just discover them once, but rediscover them again and again." How do you rediscover the scriptures?

Ten ways to improve our scripture study:

1. Look for Jesus Christ.
2. Look for inspiring words and phrases.
3. Look for gospel truths.
4. Listen to the Spirit.
5. Liken scriptures to ourselves.
6. Ask questions as you study.
7. Use scripture study helps.
8. Record your thoughts and feelings.
9. Study words of the latter-day prophets.
10. Share your insights.

President Monson taught, "As we read and ponder the scriptures, we will experience the sweet whisperings of the Spirit to our souls. We can find answers to our questions. We learn of the blessings which come through keeping God’s commandments. We gain a sure testimony of our Heavenly Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ, and of Their love for us."