Family Gatherings Matter

     It was apropos today that Christmas is on a Tuesday and I am currently studying the last Tuesday of  our Savior's ministry prior to the atonement.  Matthew 23:37-39 reads:

      O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I haved gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

      Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.

      For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

     I see much likeness in the gathering of the family for Christmas and the gathering of the family for the eternity.  

     Why gather?  To receive blessings!

Jesus is the reason for the season and He desires us to be happy!

Family

Family

     The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. … Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Family: A Proclamation to the World

Thankful for the Teachings of Jesus

     In my scripture study this morning I was reading John chapter 6 and passages in the companion scriptures of Matthew 14, Mark 6, and Luke 9.  I was pondering the similarity between Jesus and the multitude in the desert [solitary] place being miraculously fed and Moses and the Israelites in the desert being fed manna.  Mark states, “They considered not of the loaves: for their hearts were hardened.”  How often do we forget the everyday miracles we experience?  The scriptures often tell us we need a contrite spirit and we need a broken heart.  Then I came to John 6:22 “The day following…” and verse 27 reads,

“Labor not for the meat that perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of Man hath power to give unto you; for him hath God the Father sealed.”

     Jesus goes on to say that he is the bread that Father gave unto the world.  I know that faith casteth out all fear.  How apropos that the teaching of Peter walking on the water is part of this reading (see Matthew 14:28-31).  May we all partake of the bread of Life.

Mother and Son Parting

Farewell My Stripling Warrior, by Del Parson

     This image was inspired by my wife and son when he was leaving on his mission. We were at the airport saying our good-byes, and I watched him as he hugged my wife. She was hanging on, having a very hard time letting him go, and he was hugging her, but he was looking beyond her — toward the airplane. He was obviously ready to go. The expression on her face was one of trepidation. It was as if she were asking herself, "Have I prepared him for this? Have I done all I could?" While his expression was one of eager determination. He had been preparing so long for this and he was ready to get started.

     That moment made me think of the story of the Stripling Warriors. Those two thousand young men had never fought before. They had no idea what they were up against, or what to expect going into battle against the Lamanites, but that didn't matter to them. They were prepared in spirit and in faith. They knew that the things their mothers had taught them were true, and they were willing to march into the unknown, with their strength and courage coming from their faith. I think about those young men and their resolve to defend their families and their homes. They went forth with bravery and they succeeded. Then I think about their mothers. I know how worried and afraid they must have been. That's what moms do. They worry and they wonder if they have prepared their sons. That is really the feeling I wanted to portray in this painting.

We Need Living Prophets

I know we have a prophet who loves us and guides us today.

Article

Brigham City Temple

     We had the privilege of participating in the dedication of this temple last Sunday.

Washington D.C. Temple

Washington D.C. Temple

     This is where John and Soona were sealed.

Remember Remember

Read Elder Bowen's full address.

O remember, remember…

                …remember that there is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ.

see Helaman 5:9

Thankful for Honesty and Integrity

A Test of Integrity

     “Perhaps the surest test of an individual's integrity,” President Monson says, “is his refusal to do or say anything that would damage his self-respect.”

  

     President Monson has also counseled that the principle of honesty is not outdated. Rather, it is particularly important in our world today.

     “In our time,” he says, “when otherwise honorable men bend the law, twist the law, and wink at violations of the law, when crime goes unpunished, legally imposed sentences go unserved, and irresponsible and illegal conduct soars beyond previously recorded heights, there is a very real need to return to the basic justice that the laws provide when honest men sustain them.”

--President Monson in Honesty Is Best

Come and See

Come and See, by Liz Lemon Swindle

A Message from the Artist 

     When I was painting in April 2008, I paid little attention to the stock market or the world at large. Who could have imagined then that we would witness the implosion of the world’s economic systems, the collapse of century-old institutions, and the loss of millions of people’s life savings. It seemed everything we put our confidence in was taken away – literally overnight. Surely these are the times Jesus spoke of when He said, “Men’s hearts [will] fail them.” – Luke 21:26.

     Each day as bad news piled up, I found myself longing to be one of those disciples in the painting. To walk with Jesus and feel the peace and joy as they did. One particularly difficult day a thought came to me. I didn’t need to go to the shores of Galilee to walk with the Savior and find His peace, none of us do. We can each feel it right here and right now, no matter how uncertain these times become. Did He not promise us?

     “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid… ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.” – John 14:27; 16:24

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

A Blast From The Past:

Put your hand in the hand of the man who stilled the water (stilled the water)

Put your hand in the hand of the man who calmed the sea (calmed the sea)

Take a look at yourself and you can look at others differently

By puttin' your hand in the hand of the man from Gallilee.

Ev'ry time I look into the Holy Book I want to tremble (tremble)

When I read about the part where the carpenter cleared the temple (temple)

For the buyers and the sellers were no different fellas

Than what I profess to be

And it causes me shame to know we're not the people we should be.

So put your hand in the hand of the man who stilled the water

Put your hand in the hand of the man who calmed the sea

Take a look at yourself and-a you can look at others differently

By putting your hand in the hand of the man from-a Gallilee.

My mama taught me how to pray before I reached the age of seven

She said, "There'll come a time when there'll probably be room in heaven"

But I'm feeling kinda of guilty 'bout the number of times

To do what we must do

Oh we forget what he said when we figured that he'd still make room 

(So, you gotta)

Put your hand in the hand of the man who stilled the water

Put your hand in the hand of the man who calmed the sea

Take a look at yourself and-a you can look at others differently

By puttin' your hand in the hand of the man from Gallilee. 

(everybody come along)

Put your hand in the hand of the man who stilled the water (stilled the water)

Put your hand in the hand of the man who calmed the sea (calmed the sea)

Take a look at yourself and you can look at others differently

By putting your hand in the hand of the man from Gallilee.

Service and Sacrifice

     The Savior Suffers in Gethsemane

     The Savior is a wonderful example of service and sacrifice.  I think about all the people he healed.  I marvel that he sacrificed to save me.

     Not all that he healed expressed gratitude.  Others he would instruct to "tell no man," but they did the opposite.  So, how is it with us?  Do we expect more from others when we give various acts of service, or do we follow the Savior's pattern of continuous service regardless of how our service is received?

     Jesus said, "The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head."  While in the Garden of Gethsemane, our Savior asked " O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.”  He partook of the bitter cup to save us.  He offered himself a sacrifice for sin.

     May we strive to lose ourselves in the service of others and offer our lives a sacrifice for Jesus.  We are only serving the Lord when we serve others.  I testify that I feel closer to the Savior when I sacrifice and serve.

Spirit of Revelation

Patterns of Light, Part III

Based on a talk entitled "The Spirit of Revelation"

Sister CHERYL A. ESPLIN taught the following in Teaching Our Children to Understand:

     In a latter-day revelation through the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Lord instructs parents to teach their children to understand the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ, baptism, and the gift of the Holy Ghost. Notice the Lord doesn’t just say we are to “teach the doctrine”; His instructions are to teach our children to “understand the doctrine.” (See D&C 68:25, 28; emphasis added.)

     In Psalms we read, “Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart” (Psalm 119:34).

     Teaching our children to understand is more than just imparting information. It’s helping our children get the doctrine into their hearts in a way that it becomes part of their very being and is reflected in their attitudes and behavior throughout their lives.

     Nephi taught that the role of the Holy Ghost is to carry the truth “unto the hearts of the children of men” (2 Nephi 33:1). Our role as parents is to do all we can to create an atmosphere where our children can feel the influence of the Spirit and then help them recognize what they are feeling.

     President Harold B. Lee taught, “Without experiencing a gospel principle in action, it is … more difficult to believe in that principle” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Harold B. Lee [2000], 121).

     I first learned to pray by kneeling with my family in family prayer. I was taught the language of prayer as I listened to my parents pray and as they helped me say my first prayers. I learned that I could talk to Heavenly Father and ask for guidance.

     Every morning without fail, my mother and father gathered us around the kitchen table before breakfast, and we knelt in family prayer. We prayed at every meal. In the evening before bed, we knelt together in the living room and closed the day with family prayer.

     Although there was much I didn’t understand about prayer as a child, it became such a part of my life that it stayed with me. I still continue to learn, and my understanding of the power of prayer still continues to grow.

     Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said, “We all understand that the success of the gospel message depends upon its being taught and then understood and then lived in such a way that its promise of happiness and salvation can be realized” (“Teaching and Learning in the Church” [worldwide leadership training meeting, Feb. 10, 2007], Liahona, June 2007, 57;Ensign, June 2007, 89).

     Learning to fully understand the doctrines of the gospel is a process of a lifetime and comes “line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little” (2 Nephi 28:30). 

Discerning Light

Patterns of Light, Part II

     As a teenager, I loved winter.  My time was spent in downhill skiing.  Friends and I would always search for the drop-off or mogul where we could catch the most air.  We thrilled to be up in the air.

      I was hit by a car while riding my bike home from work last October.  The impact broke several ribs and ruptured vertebral discs.  As I was catapulting over the speeding car, the old familiar sense of “catching air” came to me and I marveled, “I caught a lot of air!” 

     I feel this was the comfort given to me from on high so I could bear what was happening.  The recollection of a happy time helped me survive the moment.  I bear testimony that God loves us and watches over us.  He communicates with us as appropriate.

     My wife was listening to the following song the other night:

"You Raise Me Up"

When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;
When troubles come and my heart burdened be;
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until you come and sit awhile with me.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... To more than I can be.

There is no life - no life without its hunger;
Each restless heart beats so imperfectly;
But when you come and I am filled with wonder,
Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... To more than I can be.

You raise me up... To more than I can be.

The Light of Christ

Patterns of Light, Part I

     

     I love patterns.  They help me see things in a better perspective and assist me in putting my life in order.  I read the following pattern this morning on Connie Firmin's blog: 

      "One promise I stumbled upon this morning is found in James 4:8 (the first part):  “Come close to God, and God will come close to you.”  If you don’t eat, you get hungry, right?  Same way with our spiritual lives.  When we do not take the time to “come close to God”, emptiness sets in, hunger takes over, and we begin to look for anything to fill up on.  We start trying to satisfy our emptiness with junk instead of healthy options.  This is where trouble can come right in the front door of our lives.

So in summary, if you are hungry, go eat!  Share your journey with other trustworthy friends in your life so they can pray for you and walk with you.  Sometimes just being honest with those around you can help.  Dig in and load up on God’s Word.  It’s full of promises that will fill the bare places inside.  Lastly, but most importantly, if you find yourself empty, talk with God about it.  As you draw near to Him, you will begin to hear His soothing whisper, and you’ll be full in no time."

Thankful for Christ, His Gospel, and His Church

“If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.”

     I am thankful that I have hope in Christ for the eternities.  I am grateful for his grace.  I am indebted to his mercy.  I owe Him everything.

     "As we obey the commandments and live the gospel fully, we will be protected and blessed."

     "The ultimate end of all activity in the Church is to see a husband and his wife and their children happy at home, protected by the principles and laws of the gospel, sealed safely in the covenants of the everlasting priesthood. Husbands and wives should understand that their first calling—from which they will never be released—is to one another and then to their children."

It's Great, Except for ...

     Our Sunday School teacher mentioned this poster this past Sunday.  Often we justify the movies we watch, the music we listen to, or the print we read by telling ourselves "it is really good, except for this one small part ..."  Many aspects of our lives can be compromised by such an attitude, such as how we drive.  May we ask ourselves, "What would Jesus do?"

Who’s on the Lord’s Side, Who?

Sharing Your Beliefs

     As I begin my second year of this blog, I bear my testimony that God lives and loves us.  His beloved son is Jesus the Christ, Jehovah of olden time, our Savior who saves us with his grace.  The Holy Ghost will guide all those earnestly striving to know and live truth.

     President Thomas S. Monson said, “This great cause in which we are engaged will continue to go forth, changing and blessing lives as it does so. No cause, no force in the entire world can stop the work of God. Despite what comes, this great cause will go forward. You recall the prophetic words of the Prophet Joseph Smith: ‘No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.’

     There is much that is difficult and challenging in the world today, my brothers and sisters, but there is also much that is good and uplifting. As we declare in our thirteenth article of faith, “If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.” May we ever continue to do so.”

   

Only upon the Principles of Righteousness

     "In raising our family, we decided that our most important goal would be to help our children establish their own connection to heaven. We knew that ultimately they would need to depend on the Lord, not on us. Brigham Young said, “Were I to draw a distinction in all the duties that are required of the children of men, … I would place first and foremost the duty of seeking unto the Lord our God until we open the path of communication from heaven to earth—from God to our own souls."

     I wish I had had the wisdom of this man in my household as my children were growing-up!

Good Things to Come

Thankful for the Light of Christ

Light /līt/ to provide with illumination.

Light of Christ:  The phrase “light of Christ” does not appear in the Bible, although the principles that apply to it are frequently mentioned therein. The precise phrase is found in Alma 28:14, Moroni 7:18, and D&C 88:7. Biblical phrases that are sometimes synonymous to the term “light of Christ” are “spirit of the Lord” and “light of life” (see, for example, John 1:4; 8:12). The “spirit of the Lord,” however, sometimes is used with reference to the Holy Ghost, and so must not be taken in every case as having reference to the light of Christ.

     The light of Christ is just what the words imply: enlightenment, knowledge, and an uplifting, ennobling, persevering influence that comes upon mankind because of Jesus Christ. For instance, Christ is “the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world” (D&C 93:2; John 1:9). The light of Christ fills the “immensity of space” and is the means by which Christ is able to be “in all things, and is through all things, and is round about all things.” It “giveth life to all things” and is “the law by which all things are governed.” It is also “the light that quickeneth” man’s understanding (see D&C 88:6–13, 41). In this manner, the light of Christ is related to man’s conscience and tells him right from wrong (cf. Moro. 7:12–19).

     The light of Christ should not be confused with the personage of the Holy Ghost, for the light of Christ is not a personage at all. Its influence is preliminary to and preparatory to one’s receiving the Holy Ghost. The light of Christ will lead the honest soul who “hearkeneth to the voice” to find the true gospel and the true Church and thereby receive the Holy Ghost (see D&C 84:46–48). Additional references are Alma 19:6; 26:3; D&C 20:27.

All Present and Accounted For

It's True Sir-All Present and Accounted For by Clark Kelley Price

A Message from the Artist 

     Seldom in the annals of history has there been such an inspiring example of unwavering faith in God as was exhibited by the valiant young sons of the Ammonites. These two thousand and sixty young men were a "Great support" to their country´s defense. Though they had never fought, the scriptures tell us "they were exceedingly valiant for courage . . . . . and true at all times in whatsoever thing they were instructed. They were men of truth and soberness, for they had been taught to keep the commandments of God, and to walk up rightly before God." (Alma 53:20-21) Their mothers had especially influenced their faith. Their commanding officer, Helaman, called them his "sons," "for they are worthy to be called sons," he said. (Alma 56:10) They called him "father", such was the love and respect they had for him. 

     This scene depicts the moment when Helaman (shown on his horse) learns from a subordinate officer that all two thousand and sixty of his beloved sons have survived a terrible battle in which every one of them have "received many wounds." This was the second time this had occurred, though many other soldiers in the army had perished, this "little band" under Helaman´s leadership, lost not a single man. Speaking of this unbelievable occurrence, Helaman states, "two hundred out of my two thousand and sixty had fainted because of the loss of blood; nevertheless, according to the goodness of God and to our great astonishment, and also the joy of the whole army, there was not one soul of them who did perish.

     "And now, their preservation was astonishing to our whole army, yea that they would be spared while there was a thousand of our brethren who were slain, and we do justly ascribe it to the miraculous power of God, because of their exceeding faith in that which they had been taught to believe - that there was a just God, and whosoever did not doubt, they should be preserved by His marvelous power. Now this was the faith of these of whom I have spoken. They are young and their minds are firm and they do put their trust in God continually." (Alma 57:25-27) Helaman had also stated in his epistle to his commanding general, Moroni that "as the remainder of our army were about to give way before the Lamanites, behold those two thousand and sixty were firm and undaunted. Yea, they did obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness; yea and even according to their faith it was done unto them; and I did remember the words which they said unto me that their mothers had taught them." (Alma 57:20-21) 

     It is my hope that in painting this poignant scene from the Book of Mormon, it will enable us to stand with them in their ranks, to absorb their marvelous spirit, that we may be one with them, and they with us, "all present and accounted for" in the final battle against the forces of Satan in these last days. - Clark Kelly Price

 Personal Testimony

     My father has often shared stories from his World War II experiences.  The following is one story I've pieced together the best I can.  One morning, as a teen-aged infantry soldier in France, his company was marched into a field with other units.  There was a platform from which the commander explained their objective for the next day.  They were to break through the enemy line.

     It was a day he never forgot.  His company, B Company, 8th Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, assembled at 3 a.m.  They were quietly marched through a dried-up swamp.  When they were almost to the other side, machine-guns opened fire "from all directions."  Dad quickly hit the ground.  When he looked around, he saw he was under an enemy machine-gun nest 20 feet away, "close enough that I wasn't planning on moving." 

      As a child, Dad's parents had divorced. He lived in Vermont with his mother who belonged to the Christian Science faith. He was not allowed to play sports and knew very little of organized sports in our country at the time. He did have a pet crow, a bicycle, a paper route, and a daisy air rifle.

     The sound of the bolt on the machine gun being pulled back would startle him as he lay as still as possible.  The sun rose and the sun set while pretending to be a dead body on the ground.  He could hear the soldiers talking to each other as they manned their machine gun nest. 

     Months earlier, while stationed in England and preparing for the invasion of Europe, Dad was in charge of a small group of soldiers that didn't like to get up in the morning. A thick fog would envelop the parade field during morning formation. Fortunately, he stood near the end of the field where he could not be seen.  He would report "all present or accounted for."  Most, if not all of his men, were still sleeping and not in formation.

  

     A full moon shined over the field that night as he lay as motionless as possible.  After midnight, clouds began to cover the moon.  He crawled away as fast as was prudent.  When out of range of the enemy, he kept moving until he got to his own line, where he was challenged by a soldier from another company. 

     Challenges and passwords were changed at midnight, and he hadn't received the new password.  He explained the situation, and the soldier proceded to quiz him about sports personalities unique to home.  The future was looking bleak as he explained that he knew nothing about sports or sports personalities.  He was then quizzed about where he was stationed in England, and it turned out that one of the soldiers he had let sleep-in was there and said "let him enter; Bob Walker is a good egg."

     I do not know the myriad of feelings one goes through in the midst of an armed conflict.  I do know that our life on earth is also a conflict.  I hope I can be present and accounted for with the rest of my family when the conflict is over.  I hope we can all be known as "good eggs" at the final day.

A Firm Foundation

     While in medic school, after a long day of studying, I would often take a break from my school work by designing my family’s future house on graph paper.  After several years of Army duty, and after many revisions to my graph paper drawings, spring came, the ground was finally prepared and the day came to build the foundation.  Measurements were made as I carefully constructed the footers out of boards that would later be used as headers over doors and windows to support our home.  I coated the insides of the boards with the used motor oil from our family car so the cement would not harm the wood.  Reinforcement bars were carefully spaced inside the footers to provide increased strength.  My friend Marty Bruns assisted me in the pouring of the cement. 

     The cement cured, the boards were carefully removed for future use, and the time arrived to lay the concrete blocks.  The summer was hot and humid.  My wife mixed the mortar in a wheelbarrow and I laid the blocks.  Block by block and course by course we built the foundation in perfect alignment for our house to rest upon.  By the end of the summer, my wife was nicknamed “Popeye arms.”

     As autumn approached, the school year started and our oldest son would board the school bus at the construction site.  I would work on the house until he came back from school.  Many individuals assisted in the completion of the house, such as my home teacher Geoff Jones.  On two consecutive Saturdays, members of the priesthood came -- we raised the sides of the house, and we placed the roof trusses thereon.  Roger Poland helped me place the last few rows of shingles on the roof as the first snow of winter fell.

     Our family moved into the basement while my father, a licensed professional engineer, and I wired and finished the upstairs.  For years to come, there always seemed to be another project to be completed.  My good friend Fred Allodi always cheered me on and helped me with whatever needed to be done.  It would have been impossible to endure to the end without such a good friend.  Family and friends are key for our progress.

     I was reminded of the preceding events as I read the following by President Henry B. Eyring.  “As a young man I worked with a contractor building footings and foundations for new houses. In the summer heat it was hard work to prepare the ground for the form into which we poured the cement for the footing. There were no machines. We used a pick and a shovel. Building lasting foundations for buildings was hard work in those days.

     It also required patience. After we poured the footing, we waited for it to cure. Much as we wanted to keep the jobs moving, we also waited after the pour of the foundation before we took away the forms.

     And even more impressive to a novice builder was what seemed to be a tedious and time-consuming process to put metal bars carefully inside the forms to give the finished foundation strength.

     In a similar way, the ground must be carefully prepared for our foundation of faith to withstand the storms that will come into every life. That solid basis for a foundation of faith is personal integrity.

     Our choosing the right consistently whenever the choice is placed before us creates the solid ground under our faith. It can begin in childhood since every soul is born with the free gift of the Spirit of Christ. With that Spirit we can know when we have done what is right before God and when we have done wrong in His sight.

     Those choices, hundreds in most days, prepare the solid ground on which our edifice of faith is built. The metal framework around which the substance of our faith is poured is the gospel of Jesus Christ, with all its covenants, ordinances, and principles.

     One of the keys to an enduring faith is to judge correctly the curing time required. …

     That curing does not come automatically through the passage of time, but it does take time. Getting older does not do it alone. It is serving God and others persistently with full heart and soul that turns testimony of truth into unbreakable spiritual strength.”

     I know that there are many true and good patterns in life, and that we need to build our life on a firm and true foundation with Jesus Christ as our chief cornerstone.  I am grateful for Christ's example and the example of his followers.  There is help and guidance if we will but seek, ask, and act.  I testify in the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

John 3

Nicodemus Comes to Jesus

     As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life.  For God so loved the world, that he gave his Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.  He who believeth on him is not condemned: but he who believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed on the name of the only begotten Son of God, which was before preached by the mouth of the holy prophets; for they testified of Christ.  And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil.  For every one who doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.  But he who loveth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest.  And he who obeyeth the truth, the works which he doeth they are of God.

Thankful To Be Able To Sacrifice In Service

Coming to Ourselves

The following is an excerpt from a talk given by Robert D. Hales:

     The Savior told His disciples about a son who left his wealthy father, went to a far country, and wasted his inheritance. When a famine arose, the young man took the lowly job of feeding swine. He was so hungry that he wanted to eat the husks meant for the animals.

     Away from home, far from the place he wanted to be, and in his destitute condition, something of eternal significance happened in the life of this young man. In the Savior’s words, “he came to himself.” He remembered who he was, realized what he had been missing, and began to desire the blessings freely available in his father’s house.

     Throughout our lives, whether in times of darkness, challenge, sorrow, or sin, we may feel the Holy Ghost reminding us that we are truly sons and daughters of a caring Heavenly Father, who loves us, and we may hunger for the sacred blessings that only He can provide. At these times we should strive to come to ourselves and come back into the light of our Savior’s love.

     These blessings rightfully belong to all of Heavenly Father’s children. Desiring these blessings, including a life of joy and happiness, is an essential part of Heavenly Father’s plan for each one of us. The prophet Alma taught, “Even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you.”

     As our spiritual desires increase, we become spiritually self-reliant.

     The young man spoken about by the Savior, the one we refer to as the prodigal son, did come home. His father had not forgotten him; his father was waiting. And “when [the son] was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and … kissed him.” In honor of his son’s return, he called for a robe, a ring, and a celebration with a fatted calf (see Luke 15:22-24)—reminders that no blessings will be withheld if we faithfully endure in walking the path back to our Heavenly Father.

With His love and the love of His Son in my heart, I challenge each of us to follow our spiritual desires and come to ourselves. Let’s have a talk with ourselves in the mirror and ask, “Where do I stand on living my covenants?” We are on the right path when we can say, “I worthily partake of the sacrament each week, I am worthy to hold a temple recommend and go to the temple, and I sacrifice to serve and bless others.”

     I share my special witness that God so loves each one of us “that he gave his only begotten Son” to atone for our sins. He knows us and waits for us, even when we are a great way off. As we act on our desires and come to ourselves, we will be “encircled about eternally in the arms of his love” and welcomed home. I so testify in the holy name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, amen.

Et Si Omnes Ego Non

Esti Omnes, Ego Non (Even if all, not I)

Etsi Omnes, Ego Non

Here where under earth his head
Finds a last and lonely bed,
Let him speak upon the stone:
Etsi omnes, ego non.

Here he shall not know the eyes
Bent upon their sordid prize
Earthward ever, nor the beat
Of the hurrying faithless feet.

None to make him perfect cheer
Join’d him on his journey drear;
Some too soon, who fell away;
Some too late, who mourn to-day.

Yet while comrades one by one
Made denial and were gone,
Not the less he labor’d on:
Etsi omnes, ego non.

Surely his were heart and mind
Meet for converse with his kind,
Light of genial fancy free,
Grace of sweetest sympathy.

But his soul had other scope,
Holden of a larger hope,
Larger hope and larger love.
Meat to eat men knew not of:

Knew not, know not—yet shall sound
From this place of holy ground
Even this legend thereupon,
Etsi omnes, ego non

                                                                               --by Ernest Myers

“EVEN IF ALL, NOT I” magazine article