Instruction Manual for (My) Life

The Scriptures are often referred to as an instruction manual for life. Everything we need to know to become successful, find happiness, solve problems and gain peace is within their pages. Every time I have sought out the guidance of my Bishops, parents, peers or people I admire, they send me to the same source; The Word of God. "Have you prayed about it?" "This scripture/conference talk/LDS article inspired me when I was in a similar situation." "What does your gut tell you?" "Have you been reading your scriptures?"

Reading was something I used to do before my children were born. I read at all hours of the night.  When I found myself alone and when I didn't want to deal with life. It was a favorite pastime. I stopped reading when I realized that my attention was being enveloped by a story instead of the bundle of joy in the room. Reading had been my joyful escape for many years. Now the new joy, that I had agreed to commit myself to 10 months earlier, had arrived. Instead of reading about life I had born one and was put in charge of creating it.

Since then life has been happening all the time. I truly have just let life happen. Whether it was because my aim was to please someone or lack in confidence to follow my dreams, life just went on. I had chosen to allow the people (specifically male) who ventured into my life to determine it. I had no sense of boundaries or how to be mysterious or demanding  honest.

I have noticed a difference in my day when I start it off with a prayer. My ability to respond rather then react to stressors and the unexpected is improved. Inspiration comes clearly so that I have no doubts in what I am to say or do. The reality, greatness and love of God is also confirmed to me as I read or listen to the scriptures. My mind is open to receive his acknowledgment of my life. That my life is not so different from those written about in the scriptures. That 3000 years in the history of man we are still the same. The concerns, fears, accomplishments, pains and triumphs transcend time, place, culture and society. This is what makes the Scriptures my Instruction Manual for Life. I have read self help books, listened to various talks through TED and YouTube, followed upstanding bloggers, Facebookers and the like. They have all been great resources when I need them. However they don't have the same effect as when I read and follow the scriptures. Perhaps I find it easier to tell myself that I can do it, because someone over 2000 years ago did it, then because of my neighbor. Or maybe it's that final story I needed to hear to make the connection between my struggles, my neighbors and God's plan. God has a plan for his people and one is not greater then the other. One way is not for all. His way is not mine or their way. We are each His children. Just as I approach things differently with each one of my children He does the same for us.

In that respect I will document my studies and how I have likened the scriptures to my life and benefit. My hope is that by doing so I will be reminded of where I started and how I have progressed. As a grown adult there isn't someone watching and ready to reward me with a Gold star for my achievements. I will know for myself and build my own self worth. I also hope this may inspire, provide insight and ring true for others. I am not a scholar by any means but I feel I have enough life experience and general knowledge that anyone can relate. If that is not true for some I welcome their insight to those things I can not relate to.

I am going to use blogger to track my study of the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants and The Pearl of Great Price. I will post on YouTube my study of the New and Old Testament (KJV).