A Happy and Abundant New Year

Here is my schedule for the new year for gospel study:

Sun:  Patriarchal Blessing/Review Primary Lesson
Mon:  Primary Lesson
Tue:  New Testament (following the Class Member Study Guide)
Wed:  Gospel Principles manual
Thu:  General Conference talks
Fri:  Topical Guide/Personal Progress scriptures
Sat:  Current Ensign magazine

It's nice to have the resources online, as well as in print.  I'm planning on actively looking up the scriptures in the lessons to keep me involved in the actual scriptures.

I love studying the scriptures and the words of apostles and prophets.  What a treasure!  I hope never to take for granted the marvelous blessing we have of the word of God so readily available to us.  One of my favorite verses this week was, "I am the vine, ye are the branches:  he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for withou me ye can do nothing." (John 15:5) 

I love the concept of Jesus being the vine and being able to connect into that vine.  I have been concentrating on Abundance Mentality in my life.  This concept comes from Stephen Covey in the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.  He talks about Abundance Mentality vs. Scarcity Mentality.  An Abundance Mentality means that you believe "there is enough and to spare" (Doctrine & Covenants 104:17), and that includes love, resources, time and energy.  With this mentality, when another succeeds, you can celebrate with them.  A Scarcity Mentality means that there is not enough, and when another person succeeds, you fail.  If another has enough, you do not have enough.

When I think of Abundance Mentality in connection with Jesus being the vine, I can better visualize what it means to have the Savior as our ally and friend, and how the Abundance Mentality is a true principle.  When Jesus is the vine, and I am the branch, then I have all the love, the time, the energy, and the resources that I need.  Although it may appear in a mortal sense that I do not have enough, when I am connected with the Savior, it is enough, and I am not burdened by scarcity!

I teach this often to my children, and it's brings me joy to see the change in their outlook and demeanor when they understand it and apply it.

I wish everyone a Happy and Abundant New Year!