Choice 2: Acts 16; 18. Pauls' Second Mission

During Paul's second missionary journey, he visited Phrygia, Galatia, Troas, and Macedonia.
The Holy Ghost directed Paul throughout his journey. The Spirit prompted him to no longer remain in Asia. He was then going to go to Mysia and Bithynia, but the Spirit again prompted him not to. When Paul got to Troas, he then received a vision of where he was supposed to go next. A man of Macedonia was in his vision, and said to him, "Come over into Macedonia, and help us". Paul also went to Corinth, where the Holy Ghost prompted him to continue preaching the gospel.
The Spirit has directed my missionary efforts by leading me to people that I became friends with, and then I was able to introduce them to the gospel. My friends have often times turned to me when they were experiencing trials, and I have been able to help them through the principles of the gospel. Now that I am up at a church school, I don't have as many nonmember friends. But I know that after I graduate there will be plenty of people I will come into contact with that I could befriend and then introduce to the gospel. I could be more directed by the Spirit by asking the Lord who I could serve and help in order to bring about His Kingdom.
Paul was able to preach the gospel so effectively because he was in tune with the Spirit. He had no other agenda except to follow the Lord's will and preach His gospel. Being led by the Spirit, he was able to do exactly this.
Paul let his experiences turn into missionary experiences. When he was imprisoned, he still prayed and sang hymns of praise to God and all of the other prisoners could hear. Because of his example, the prison keeper sought after him, asking what he should do to become saved, and was later baptized. From Paul's missionary experiences, I learned that even when things are not going your way, you can still be an example to others and lead them to the gospel.
The jailer is an example of a true convert because he was touched by the Holy Ghost after listening to Paul sing and pray, and desired to know how to be saved. He was baptized in that same hour.
Even though we do not understand everything about God and the gospel, the principles needed to gain salvation are simple and true. We need to repent and become baptized and have faith in the things that are true of the gospel.
I can follow the example of Paul to become a better missionary. I can seek the Holy Ghost and increase my faith, and I know that I will be able to be a better instrument in the Lord's hands.

Choice 4: Acts 7. The Matryrdom of Stephen

1. Stephen was trying to call the people to repentance. But they would not listen. And even as they stoned him, he asked God not to put the blame on the people for their actions. I am amazed at his faith in God and his forgiveness concerning the people. I don't know if I would be able to do the same as him. I think I would have some resentment toward the people that killed me.
From these versus, we learn that Jesus Christ and God are two separate beings, and that Stephen was filled with the Holy Ghost; so all three were distinctly present. Christ was specifically on the right-hand side of God, so this proves that the three beings are not the same person.
2. After reading Mosiah 17: 7-20, I see some similarities between Stephen and Abinadi. Both were innocent and did not deserve to die. They were only trying to bring their people unto repentance so that they would not suffer a horrible fate. Both also would not stop proclaiming the word of God. They knew that what they were doing was right, even if it meant that they had to suffer and die because of it. Their final testimonies cause me to seriously reflect how strong my own testimony is and if I would stand by the Lord even in the face of torture and death. I hope that all of us can say, yes, I will suffer all, even death, for the Lord and his kingdom.

Divorce

Divorce Rates
The rate of divorce has increased significantly, especially from the 1960's (9.2 married women 15 years and older per 1,000 in 1960) to the 1980's (22.6 married women 15 years and older per 1,000 in 1980). Even though the rate of divorce today isn't as quite as high it was in the 70's and 80's, it is still prevalent (17.9 married women 15 years and older per 1,000 in 2004).
Causes of Divorce
There are various reasons why married couples seek for a divorce. Some are due to sociodemographic factors: like socioeconomic status, age at marriage, race, and others. Interpersonal factors also can play a role: infidelity, communication problems, lack of emotional support, emotional and/or physical abuse, falling out of love or growing apart, unsatisfactory sex, financial problems, constant conflict, and many others.
After the Divorce--Now What?
This part intrigued me the most. You always hear about what a struggle it is to go through with a divorce, but you never dare ask those who have been divorced what life is like afterward. You just imagine that it must be pretty awful. In a lot of cases, it is pretty awful. 70% of people two years after they have divorced think that they made a mistake. They think that they could have really made the marriage work. That type of regret and retrospect must be overwhelming and frankly depressing. However, there are some people who get remarried after a divorce. It is advised to wait six months after the divorce has gone through before you date again. This is because you need time to regroup after the emotional rollercoaster you have been on, and if you just jump to another person right after, you're probably only using them as a distraction from the pain that usually follows a divorce.
Remarriages can also be the hardest because you are trying to blend families, and this is very difficult. It will take at least 2 years in a blended family for things to feel normal.