His Hand Outstretched Still

• Reason why the prophets write the scriptures is stated in 2 Nephi 6:12 --
• ...if it so be that they shall repent and fight not against Zion, and do not unite themselves to that great and abominable church, they shall be saved; for the Lord God will fulfil his covenants which he has made unto his children...
• 2 Nephi 25:3, 23
• Between 2 Nephi 8-29, the Lord tells us that we shouldn't rely in arm of men but in Him and that his hand is continually outstretched towards us. 
• ...fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings... (2 Nephi 8:7)
• Talking about resisting peer influence and instead trusting in the Lord. 
• This is hard to do at times.  I look at the "epidemic" that is rising among our school-aged kids with bullying/teasing that is leading some children to believe that the only way to overcome this is to take their lives.  How tragic.  Kind of scares me as my daughter just had to deal with the whole "teasing" thing at school.  With a lot of parent/teacher conferences, child/counselor conferences and discussing it with the classes it was taken care of, but my child is only 7 years old and she is already facing crud like this?  It is our jobs as parents to protect our children physically, emotionally and spiritually.  Am I doing all that I can to help my children wear the Armor of God?  This makes Family Home Evening, family prayers and family scripture reading, attending church and being better examples that much more important.
• As in the RS Conference we just had, it is true what Sister Beck said that knowing who we are will make a difference in how well we can be steadfast and immovable.  Luckily, my daughter was able to realize her worth and stand up for herself against those bullies at school. 
• There will always be opposition in all things (2 Nephi 9:25-26), but these experiences we have can help us enjoy the better times. 
• There are a lot of warnings in these chapters of 2 Nephi. (2 Nephi 9:24-38, 48, 13:18-24, 25:9,
• Continues to ask us to REMEMBER. (2 Nephi 9:39-41, 44, 51-52, 10:4,
• He gives us promises. (2 Nephi 10:7, 9-19, 23:22,
• The Lord asks us to put Him before our own wants (2 Nephi 15:11-12).
• The Lord reminds us that the glamour the world promises us does not last when coming from the world. (2 Nephi 15:24)
• Prophecies given to us in 2 Nephi 25:4-19, 26:14
• When we listen and do what the Lord asks us to do, He promises us that we shall not perish.  Are we going to give our time to the Lord this weekend and listen to what He has to say through our church leaders during General Conference? (2 Nephi 26:8)