​During this time of worldwide pandemic, I don't know who to believe or who to rely on for facts. Should I be more cautious or less? Is this virus going to kill me if I leave the house, or should I be interact with people to strengthen my immunity. I am tired of the restrictions, yet I'm enjoying the time at home and with my family.

I've also enjoyed church at home with the sacrament administered by my son and husband. I wish my friend could have that opportunity. With some restrictions being lifted, I wondered if it was time to take the sacrament to her home. That's the question I pondered as I read Mosiah 9 today. King Zeniff and his people are in bondage to the Lamanites. When Zeniff and his people fought the Lamanites "in the strength of the Lord," they were victorious (Mosiah 9:17). I realized that I shouldn't try to figure out a way around the restrictions. I needed to be obedient to what the Lord has asked us to do at this time. The direction from our church leaders is "Administering the Sacrament: Currently, government directives or local regulations restrict this practice in many nations and cities. Until further notice, in these places, priesthood holders should not enter homes of Church members to whom they are not related to administer the sacrament. During this time, members can be blessed by studying the sacrament prayers and recommitting to live the covenants members have made and praying for the day they will receive it in person, properly administered by the priesthood" (Responding to COVID-19: Answers to Questions).
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I'm grateful that during this confusing time, President Russell M. Nelson and the leaders of our church are receiving direction from God. Their direction and love helps me to be patient and rely on the strength of the Lord.

​In my scripture study today I was prompted to learn more about prophesies of Jesus Christ. In Mosiah 8, Ammon and king Limhi discuss prophets, seers, and revelators. Ammon said, "a seer is a revelator and a prophet also...a seer can know of things which are past, and also of things which are to come, and by them shall all things be revealed, or, rather, shall secret things be made manifest, and hidden things shall come to light, and things which are not known shall be made known by them, and also things shall be made known by them which otherwise could not be known. Thus God has provided a means that man, through faith, might work mighty miracles; therefore he becometh a great benefit to his fellow beings" (Mosiah 8:16-18). I had written in a reference next to Mosiah 8:18 of Mosiah 13:33 which explains the role of a prophet, "For behold, did not Moses prophesy unto them concerning the coming of the Messiah, and that God should redeem his people? Yea, and even all the prophets who have prophesied ever since the world began--have they not spoken more or less concerning these things? Have they not said that God himself should come down among the children of men, and take upon him the form of man, and go forth in mighty power upon the face of the earth? Yea, and have they not said also that he should bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, and that he, himself, should be oppressed and afflicted?" (Mosiah 13:33-35).

We live in a time where we are blessed to have prophets, seers, and revelators who testify of Jesus Christ, reveal the mind and will of the Lord, who see the past and things to come, and are a great benefit to their fellow beings. In General Conference we sustain the President of the Church, the First Presidency, and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as prophets, seers, and revelators.

In this past General Conference, April 4-5, 2020, our prophet and President of the Church, Russell M. Nelson, presented a proclamation to the world in which our current prophets, seers, and revelators testified of Jesus Christ, revealed the Lord's will for his people now and in the future as we prepare for the Second Coming of Christ, "With reverence and gratitude, we as His Apostles invite all to know—as we do—that the heavens are open. We affirm that God is making known His will for His beloved sons and daughters. We testify that those who prayerfully study the message of the Restoration and act in faith will be blessed to gain their own witness of its divinity and of its purpose to prepare the world for the promised Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ" (The Restoration of the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ).
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I was grateful in my scripture study today to be reminded that prophesies of Jesus Christ are not just something of the past. I have seen and witnessed during this pandemic the miracles of having current prophets, revelators, and seers. The implementation of "Come Follow Me" in our homes prior to the pandemic, allowed us to be successful in having church in our homes. The change of policy in not having to wait a year after a civil marriage for a temple sealing will directly bless our family as the temples are closed for now and my son and his wife were married civilly. As I've responded to President Nelson's plea to "do whatever it takes to increase [my] spiritual capacity to receive personal revelation," I've experienced the blessings promised by President Nelson of "additional power to deal with temptation, struggles, and weakness...miracles in...marriage, family relationships, and daily work" (Hear Him, Russell M. Nelson, April 2020 General Conference).

​I knew my scripture study for today would be Mosiah 7 which is the story of the people of Limhi being in bondage to the Lamanites. Therefore I wasn't surprised when the question that came to my mind and heart was, "What bondage am I in?" This is a great question, but I didn't want to share publicly the answer I would receive. By the end of reading Mosiah 7 and taking notes, I decided I didn't need to share specifics about my personal bondage. I could share the parallels between this scripture story and my life.

Before my scripture study this morning, I finished listening to a podcast, ConneXions by Jodi Hildebrandt Episode 115: Enabling (Controlling) vs. Surrender. I realized that I am trying to control/enable my children. Then as I read Mosiah 7 I could see the gospel basis for the episode I'd just finished. King Limhi tells his people, "lift up your heads and be comforted...we shall no longer be in subjection to our enemies...yet I trust there remaineth an effectual struggle to be made" (Mosiah 7:18). The people of king Limhi were in bondage because of their own iniquities and abominations. They were being controlled by the king of the Lamanites. When I try to control or enable my children and not allow them the consequences of their actions, I am in bondage and so is he. When I allow self doubt to control me, I am in bondage. Jodi Hildebrandt says when I feel pain I need to ask myself, "What is causing me pain or discomfort? Who is responsible for the pain or discomfort? Is it me?" Then she says, "You stop and you be thoughtful and before you do anything, make sure you are centered in truth." The truth for king Limhi's people was that their bondage was a result of their iniquity. They took responsibility, turned to God and repented. But that didn't make the problem go away. I love the phrase, "I trust there remaineth an effectual struggle to be made" (Mosiah 7:18). Getting out of bondage is hard work, but we have to put our trust in the Lord as king Limhi reminded his people. The Lord does not enable us in our transgression. King Limhi taught, "For behold, the Lord hath said: I will not succor my people in the day of their transgression; but I will hedge up their ways that they prosper not; and their doings shall be as a stumbling block before them" (Mosiah 7:29). The Lord lets us experience the consequences of our actions, but He is there when we are ready to repent. The answer is, "But if ye will turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and put your trust in him, and serve him with all diligence of mind, if ye do this, he will, according to his own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage" (Mosiah 7:33).

With my children and myself, I need to put my trust in the Lord, do the hard work or effectual struggle, and the Lord "according to his own will and pleasure, [will] deliver [me] out of bondage" (Mosiah 7:33).
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I appreciate that for today I was able to see how a scripture story I've read and heard hundreds of times contains the truths of psychology and behavioral science and applies to my life.