Becoming Project Final Report

Becoming Project Final Report

FEDREL 211:25 Brother Mangum

By Janette Bailey

Working on my becoming project this semester has proven to be a hard journey.  There have been some days that I didn’t think about working on it and then there were other days that I worked very hard on it.  My project was for obedience.  I read in Mathew 8:27 how the disciples were still learning about who the savior is and how amazed they were when they received blessings when they obeyed Him.  This scripture helped me push forward to being obedient by reading my scriptures and talking to others about what I am learning. 

I have been reading my scriptures in personal time and family time and I have found that it is easier for me to discuss my readings with my family.  I also notice that it is much easier for me to understand the Sunday school lesson and to be able to answer the questions that are asked during class.  I have found a study guide book that has helped me with understanding what I am reading.  It basically has the scripture and then under the scripture or set of scriptures, it tells me in English what the scriptures said.  I know that those thoughts are just thoughts from the author, but it has really helped my studying alone.  (reference – The gospel study series second addition by David J Ridges)

I have been visiting a lot with my son (a returned missionary who has fallen away) and I have made progress with him.  He still is not coming to church, but he has started to hang out with his church friends.  I have been praying for him to want to come back to church. I know that he is moving in the right direction and I’m very blessed to have that knowledge.  Specifically, he has been hanging out with our old Bishop who is in his early thirties and has five children.  My son loves hanging out with him and his family and I know that they are a great influence on him.  I know that my prayers are being answered by the fact that our old Bishop has a calling in the Stake and he still manages to find time to spend with my son. It is the best blessing. 

Praying several times a day has helped me to remember Christ.  I have been reading, studying, and pondering my scriptures to help me with obedience to the Lord.  I know from my many teachings from church that to be obedient you need to really know Heavenly Father and learn all you can about him.  Luke 11:28 says the word of God is true and it is important for those who hear it obey it.  I have enjoyed learning from the New Testament this semester.  I have learned that when I pray always and study my scriptures daily that I feel the spirit with me every day all day and night.  I have had many opportunities to talk about Heavenly Father with my friends and family. 

I’d like to share a couple of personal stories of my conversations with friends and family.  The first story is a positive story.  I was having lunch at work when an acquaintance walked over to my table and asked if she could join me for lunch that day.  I, of course, said yes and as she was sitting down, she asked me if I was ever embarrassed about praying at work before my meal.  I shared the story of when Joseph Smith was only fourteen and he started openly asking questions about which church to join and he prayed to know which church to join.  I told her that by showing my faith always I will receive blessings.  The following week she asked me if I could send the missionaries to her house and they are currently teaching her the lessons.  I have gone over with them a couple of times and it has been very spiritual.

My second story is not as happy.  I have been working on a Christmas tree farm and I asked my twin sister if she would like to work as well and she said yes but I had to give her a ride.  That was fine with me because I was already going.  My Sister asked me why am I LDS? I told her that I’m on a mission to learn as much as I can about Heavenly Father.  She then proceeded to tell me why my church is wrong and why she “hates” Mormons.  I was very hurt by this comment and it was hard to gain my composure, but I did and I told her that some of the things she was saying weren't true and that if she would just read the Book of Mormon she would understand it, that’s when she started yelling at me and stating that; that the was another thing she “hated” about the Mormons, we have a separate book.  This was when I decided that she was not ready to hear the truth and I told her that we can talk about this another day when she is ready to hear me.  I learned that day that not all people are ready to hear the gospel truths and it’s not a good idea to push it on them they only get upset and it only frustrates me. 

Working on obedience to the Lord has been a great experience for me.  I am blessed to have had this opportunity to learn what obedience is and how to incorporate it in my life.  I have learned that obedience is not only studying my scriptures, but it is also meant to take the opportunity to share the gospel when it is appropriate to do so.  I have a goal to continue to work on this attribute because it has helped me to open my mouth and I feel the spirit with me. I’m thankful for my Savior and all he offers to me and I’m grateful for the atonement.