engraving.

In Jacob 4 of the Book of Mormon, Jacob writes these words: "(I cannot write but a little of my words, because of the difficulty of engraving our words on plates) and we know that the things which we write upon plates must remain . . . "

Reading this brought two points to my mind.

1. If it was so difficult to engrave onto these plates (and I think he means time consuming more than anything) then you can assume that anything that we have in the Book of Mormon is probably of great value. Someone didn't just throw it in there to fill space. It would take a lot of time and effort to engrave words on these metal plates, so anything that we have in the Book of Mormon is there for a reason.

2. What would I take the time to engrave? What would I deem worthy of intense labor and time? Council to my future children? Life lessons? Testimony?

Jacob continues, "but we can write a few words upon plates, which will give our children, and also our beloved brethren, a small degree of knowledge concerning us . . . that they may know that we knew of Christ and had a hope of his glory."

truth.

Something I loved from President Uchtdorf's recent devotional:

Truth is independent of belief; just because everyone believes something doesn't make it true and just because no one believes something doesn't make it not true. Truth is true regardless of who believes it.

the priesthood.

In a priesthood blessing the priesthood is the divine authority to act as a conduit and mouthpiece of God, through the Holy Spirit; to declare the blessings, councils and comforts the Lord desires that person to hear.

It is interesting that priesthood holders cannot bless themselves; the priesthood is to be used to serve and bless others.

Yet, by serving others we bless ourselves. Giving a blessing and exercising the priesthood provides a new closeness to the Spirit, an increase in testimony and provides strength as well as blessings to both the giver and the receiver.