Book of Mormon Analysis

The end of September, I finished my Book of Mormon analysis, where I had searched for action phrases.  I was looking for things we were invited to do, not just any verbs throughout the book.  Repent is used the most times (94), followed by the invitation to come unto Christ (58), believe (56), remember (44), and hearken (30).  When combining some words into categories, it's repent (132), keep the commandments (78), be (73), pray (68), serve / do good works (65), come (65), believe (56), search the word of God (49), hear and hearken (48), remember (47), look to God / seek Him (43), love and interacting with others (38), exercise faith / trust in God (37), baptized / born again (36), do / act / work (31), praise and worship God (27), preach the gospel (26), rejoice / lift up (26).  I went all the way down to unique phrases said only once (over 100).  I wasn't surprised that God asks us over and over again to repent.  We need that constant reminder of things we shouldn't do or should be doing.  It's all about change and striving to be a little better each day.  We're asked several times to simply remember, such as "remember that God is merciful".  I was pleasantly surprised with how many times God tells us to rejoice, lift up our eyes or heads, cheer up our hearts, break forth into joy, or be of good comfort.  There is so much to rejoice and delight in despite these challenging times.  We can't keep our heads down or wallow away in despair.  We're meant to have and find joy in the journey and see that the Lord brings us joy.  Some of my favorite phrases are "press forward with a steadfastness in Christ", "stand as witnesses of God," "reconcile yourselves to the will of God," and "come with full purpose of heart and cleave unto God."  I enjoyed doing the analysis.  

The day after I finished my scripture analysis, President Nelson passed away.  As I woke up on Sunday morning, I had the hymn "We Thank Thee Oh God for a Prophet" in my head.  I realized the song intersected with my scripture analysis.  We rejoice in a prophet, the gospel, every blessing.  We find it a pleasure to serve and obey.  When "dark clouds of trouble hang o'er us... there is hope smiling brightly before us... we doubt not the Lord nor His goodness... we'll sing of his goodness and mercy, we'll praise him by day and by night, rejoice in His glorious gospel, and bask in its life-giving light."  We have light in these dark times because of Jesus Christ, and we can repent because of God's grace.  Savannah was singing "Amazing Grace" in the shower after she learned of President Nelson's passing.  I think the Lord speaks to her though music, among other ways.  It was sweet to hear her expressing thoughts through song.  

It was interesting to listen and watch General Conference the next weekend.  President Dallin Oaks wasn't sustained yet as prophet, a new apostle wasn't named, and no new temples were announced.  The talks were good though.  We always enjoy relaxing at home for conference weekend and eating crumb cake.  

Savannah got to go on a youth temple trip the end of October.