Marci & Eric
Our Tampa Mission Blog.
If you don't already know from the title, we are serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Tampa Florida. ...
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Marci & Eric
2 days ago14 min read
Who is the greatest ally we can have in this life? (D&C 10-11)
10:2 For those of us who have experienced life living close to the Spirit and, at other times, further away - this verse resonates. “And...
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Marci & Eric
5 days ago13 min read
How is it possible to think of Jesus in EVERY thought? (D&C 6-9)
6:1 The work of this church is a great and marvelous work. “A great and marvelous work is about to come forth unto the children of men.”...
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Marci & Eric
Jan 2612 min read
We can learn from good and bad examples. (D&C 3-5)
3:1-3 God is infallible. He is perfect. He doesn’t make mistakes. He doesn’t course-correct. He doesn’t need refinement. No mulligans or...
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Marci & Eric
Jan 1910 min read
Heavenly visitors often quote scripture. I guess we can just read the scriptures... (JSH 1:27-65)
1:28-29, 33 He was one of the greatest prophets the world has known, but he was still human. “ I was left to all kinds of temptations ;...
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Marci & Eric
Jan 1211 min read
Joseph discovers opposition. (Joseph Smith History 1:1-26)
1:6 Is it possible to be a mean Christian? Yes and no. Yes. We have seen others, who claim to be Christian, be unkind. We see ourselves,...
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Marci & Eric
Jan 59 min read
Every decision has a consequence. (D&C 1)
1:10 All of our actions have consequences - both in the present and eternally. There is no action I take today that won’t have some...
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Marci & Eric
Dec 28, 20243 min read
YM/YW Lesson 1/5/25
The Restoration Proclamation In April 2020, it marked the 200th anniversary of the restoration of Christ’s church on earth. The church...
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Marci & Eric
Dec 18, 202410 min read
Moroni finishes strong. (Moroni 10)
10:3 Moroni is alone. He’s being hunted. He’ll be put to death. He’s wandering in the wilderness carrying golden plates. He understands...
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Marci & Eric
Dec 14, 202416 min read
Moroni teaches us how to know good from evil. (Moroni 7-9)
7:1 It seems like, whenever the scriptures speak of “faith and hope,” there is always a third principle. In this first verse, the three...
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Marci & Eric
Nov 23, 202415 min read
Moroni gives a lesson on faith and hope. Considering he was completely without friends and family the message is even more powerful. WITH LESSON (Ether 12-15)
12:2-4 Faith in Christ and hope for a better world are two factors that can elevate our lives more than any other force I can think of....
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Marci & Eric
Nov 14, 202411 min read
The Lord wants us to do as much as possible before He steps in. He's maximizing our progression. (Ether 1-5)
1:43 In this chapter, we read of a few times that Jared asks his brother to pray to the Lord. We do read in verse 34 that the brother of...
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Marci & Eric
Nov 10, 202414 min read
Mormon’s farewell address. (Mormon 7-9)
7:2-3 What matters in eternity? Is our membership in this church what truly matters? Well…of course it is a blessing to be a member of...
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Marci & Eric
Nov 5, 202410 min read
If we rely on ourselves, we'll get blown around in a whirlwind. (Mormon 1-6)
1:2, 15 What does it take for a young person to grow up into a wise person? I think Ammaron knew. “And about the time that Ammaron hid up...
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Marci & Eric
Oct 31, 202414 min read
Why are people who leave the church often antagonistic? (3 Nephi 27-4 Nephi)
27:1 President Nelson said, “In God’s eternal plan, salvation is an individual matter; exaltation is a family matter.” Of course I agree....
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Marci & Eric
Oct 13, 202412 min read
Jesus taught about prayer by praying. (3 Nephi 17-19)
17:2-3 I teach photography. When I am teaching, I am constantly reading the room to see if they are understanding what I’m saying. You...
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Marci & Eric
Oct 10, 202428 min read
Jesus taught everything we need to know. (3 Nephi 12-16)
12:1 Jesus chooses twelve men who received the “power and authority to baptize.” Jesus encourages the people to follow them. “Blessed are...
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Marci & Eric
Sep 28, 202410 min read
After much prophecy, Jesus finally arrives. (3 Nephi 8-11)
8:24-25 In these two verses, there is a phrase that is repeated twice. Remember, this is during the three days of darkness when their...
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Marci & Eric
Sep 24, 202410 min read
A nation can digress from righteousness to wickedness shockingly quickly. (3 Nephi 1-7)
1:9,16, 18 Those who weren’t believers had decided that they would murder those who believed that Christ should come. “Now it came to...
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Marci & Eric
Sep 8, 202413 min read
What's the problem with procrastinating your repentance until the next life? (Helaman 13-16)
13:6 How complicated is Christ’s example? It is actually very simple. At its core, it is two key principles: Faith in the Lord Jesus...
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Marci & Eric
Sep 5, 202413 min read
People often forget God when things are going well. Things have been going well for a while......(Helaman 7-12)
7:16 If someone is your enemy, how likely are you to listen to this person? It’s very unlikely that I can be influenced or persuaded by...
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Marci & Eric
Aug 29, 202413 min read
Paanchi reminds me of someone... (Helaman 1-6)
1:6-7; 2:4-5 Sometimes a person’s behavior mirrors Satan’s strategy since the council in heaven. Paanchi is a good example. “But behold,...
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Marci & Eric
Aug 11, 202417 min read
It's possible for two people to be in two different states in the same place. (Alma 39-42)
39:2-4, 11-13 Imagine that you’re a successful missionary. You are influencing many lives and helping scores of souls to come unto...
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Marci & Eric
Jul 21, 202422 min read
Korihor sounds like dissenters today. (Alma 30-31)
30:8 Many people are in search of the “meaning of life.” Elon Musk, who has got to be one of the smartest, most accomplished people on...
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Marci & Eric
Jul 16, 202418 min read
It's okay to be boastful if you're boasting about the right person. (Alma 23-29)
23:6 When we have never been outside of the church, is it harder to understand the blessings of being a member? I think it’s harder. For...
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Marci & Eric
Jul 6, 202421 min read
The plan of redemption is the purpose of life. (Alma 17-22)
17:2-3, 9 Alma and the sons of Mosiah had really turned over a new leaf. They were changed. When they met up on the road to Zarahemla,...
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Marci & Eric
Jun 30, 202416 min read
Hearts can be changed. (Alma 13-16)
13:1 What is the priesthood? Is it power? Is it authority? “And again, my brethren, I would cite your minds forward to the time when the...
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Marci & Eric
Jun 23, 202425 min read
What does it mean that we'll have a "bright recollection of all our guilt?" (Alma 8-12)
8:9, 11 Can Satan take control of our hearts if we don’t allow him? Of course the answer is no. In verse 9, we read that “Satan had...
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Marci & Eric
Jun 10, 202418 min read
Realizing that we are not the source of happiness in our lives is a big step. (Alma 5-7)
5:6 Spencer Kimball once said that the great word to be found in the dictionary is “remember.” Alma certainly believed that remembering...
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Marci & Eric
Jun 5, 202415 min read
We need to be careful about being influenced by a charismatic, strong leader. (Mosiah 29-Alma 4)
Mosiah 29:17 In the day of King Noah and King Mosiah, a king could cause much wickedness OR righteousness. Noah and Mosiah demonstrated...
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Marci & Eric
Jun 1, 202414 min read
Beware when people appear to be using flattery to manipulate you. (Mosiah 25-28)
25:10 Does God answer prayers? Of course. At the same time, there are two considerations to think about. What is the timing? Is it God’s...
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Marci & Eric
May 26, 202416 min read
Cheerfully submit with patience. (Mosiah 18-24)
18:1 Usually, when one is truly converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ, there’s a natural desire to turn towards others. “And now, it...
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Marci & Eric
May 18, 202422 min read
Abinadi could not be silenced. (Mosiah 11-17)
11:2 Is it good to follow your heart? Sometimes. If our will is aligned with the Spirit, we should follow our heart. If our will is...
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Marci & Eric
May 5, 202414 min read
Humility is the beginning of progression. (Mosiah 4-6)
4:2-3, 5 Why is humility so essential? If the name of the game is progression, the foundational skill in that progress is humility....
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Marci & Eric
Apr 16, 202414 min read
What does it mean to be faithful? (Enos-Words of Mormon)
Enos:1, 3 Many members of the church have children who do not believe the church is true. The feelings of guilt and regret are usually...
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Marci & Eric
Apr 10, 202414 min read
Cleave to Christ. (Jacob 5-7)
For chapter 5, I am not going to be writing an interpretation of Zenos’s allegory of the tame and wild olive trees. You can find lots of...
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Marci & Eric
Apr 5, 202422 min read
Men sometimes break the hearts of their wives and children. (Jacob 1-4)
1:2,4 How important are the things that were written in the Book of Mormon? Are these monthly musings by the writers? No. It sounds like...
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Marci & Eric
Mar 24, 202418 min read
Clarity is helpful. (2 Nephi 31-33)
31:2 What would make you say that you MUST do _____________? What "must" you do? The law requires that we must do certain things. Our...
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Marci & Eric
Mar 14, 202421 min read
Nephi could see 2024. (2 Nephi 26-30)
26:4 What we ARE and what we DO is what will determine whether we will be burned as stubble. This verse clarifies this for us....
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Marci & Eric
Mar 11, 202411 min read
We talk of Christ. (2 Nephi 20-25)
21:2-3 Was Jesus a completely separate and sovereign force of nature? No. He wasn't. He was a part of a Godhead that included himself,...
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Marci & Eric
Feb 27, 202414 min read
Discovery of self appears to be a priority for many. (Nephi 11-19)
11:4-6 What delights you? As I think of what delights me, I think about lounging with Marci on the couch, spending time with my kids and...
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Marci & Eric
Feb 25, 202424 min read
Knowledge doesn't always lead to wisdom. (2 Nephi 6-10)
6:3-4; 7:8 When I was on my mission, I remember complaining to my companion. I was frustrated with someone who we were teaching that just...
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Marci & Eric
Feb 11, 202416 min read
If Nephi thought he was wretched, where does that leave me? (2 Nephi 3-5)
3:8 Joseph Smith had to be humbled as he translated how Joseph, who was sold into Egypt, prophecied about him by name. It would have been...
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Marci & Eric
Feb 6, 202418 min read
Lehi was a good dad. (2 Nephi 1-2)
1:7 America is a sacred land that the Lord promised to protect if we are righteous. "Wherefore, this land is consecrated unto him whom he...
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Marci & Eric
Feb 1, 202426 min read
Lehi’s sons perfectly demonstrate the positive and negative ways to respond to trials. (1 Nephi 16-22)
16:1-3 Wicked people don't like hearing that they are wicked. In fact, they don't like even THINKING that they are wicked! Our brains can...
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Marci & Eric
Jan 28, 202424 min read
Nephi teaches us how to be taught. (1 Nephi 11-16)
11:1 Nephi receives a very detailed vision about multiple principles, events and symbols. It may be the most well-documented vision in...
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Marci & Eric
Jan 15, 202419 min read
Lehi's dream sums up mortality. (1 Nephi 6-10)
6:4-6 Why did Nephi go through all of the effort to write these? “For the fulness of mine intent is that I may persuade men to come unto...
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Marci & Eric
Jan 9, 202421 min read
Nephi is awesome but he'd say "I'm blessed." (1 Nephi 1-5)
1:1 Nephi introduces himself and partially explains the reasons for writing his record in the first verse. Let’s review his introduction:...
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Marci & Eric
Jan 1, 202413 min read
Why do we need the Book of Mormon? (Introduction and Witnesses)
Before reading the Book of Mormon, it is important to get some answers to big picture questions. What is the Book of Mormon? Where did it...
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Marci & Eric
Dec 28, 202310 min read
The calamities of the last days will result in one of two human reactions. (Revelation 15-22)
15:3 During the calamities that will precede the second coming, there will be many who will lose their faith. They will witness...
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Marci & Eric
Dec 15, 202311 min read
The temporarily powerful beast of degenerate kingdoms. (Revelation 6-14)
This is not going to be about what all the symbolism means in these chapters of Revelation. There are amazing articles and videos that...
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