Madera Miracle

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.

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Brigham City Temple

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