Open a Door

When you change the world
You open a door
Where power is unfurled
And who is it for?

Elder L. Tom Perry: An Ordinary Man with an Extraordinary Calling

His pleasant attitude glowed.
Optimistic, he did his best.
Unfailing gratitude showed
As he preached the gospel to bless.

Here is a wonderful video he gave on strengthening missionaries and doing online missionary work.
https://www.lds.org/broadcasts/article/worldwide-leadership-training/2013/06/missionary-work-in-the-digital-age?lang=eng&query=perry

The Gift of Grace

The destiny of man lay fulfilled

 On the day the atonement was made 

When Christ broke the bands of Satan's chains 

And the sins of mankind where marked, "PAID!"

The Gift of Grace

The Savior's gift of love and grace

Was perfectly put into place

He broke sin's chains, the curse of death

As He paid in full for all our debt

Mercy and justice came at a high price

He selflessly suffered in sacrifice

We must never forget all that He has done

To save us, cleanse us, redeem and atone

Picture a Pasture Green

farms fences new york palmyra pastures trees lds.org

Picture a pasture, green
Beside a flowing stream
There with no one around
You lay on the warm ground

The tall grass then waves down low
As a gust of winds turns to blow
And to your face ever gently
A hair is moved tickling softly

You close your eyes and bare your feet
It's not long till you fall asleep
Only to awake from a kiss
A lamb!  What could be better than this?

Psalm 23-28 KJV - The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not ...
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul:

May Your Days Be Sweet with Love

May your days be sweet with love

and the view from your window grand. 

We cannot thank you enough!

You've touched us from every land!

Just read about Elder Perry's cancer.  I am thankful he is receiving care at home... What do you say when you find out such tragic news?  

The Tutor

The vast past is a sure tutor
Linked to the present with chains
Which connects us to our future
Midst a constant cry for change

I love this picture!

Be the link
That is strong
Always think,
"Right what's wrong"

Heal the past
For the dead
Pains they cast
Heal instead

Just like sicknesses, it seems that families have trials and temptations that keep showing up,   How healing is it when someone, then, overcomes it. Generations passed and future must cheer to see an end in sight to this affliction. Still, this enduring wisdom gained must be passed on.

Don't Give Up

Don't give up
Keep on trying
You've enough
For enduring

Hope on, Keep on
Lighten your step
And sing a song
Christ's course is set

We have so much as our resources: the Light of Christ, the Holy Ghost, prayer, fasting, scriptures, covenants, etc

Latter-day Saints Keep on Trying

"God cares a lot more about who we are and who we are becoming than about who we once were."

—Dale G. Renlund, "Latter-day Saints Keep on Trying"

The Only Way is UP

The only way is up
To find where you belong
And as each day is tough
Take the Spirit along

Is There Scientific Proof Authenticating the Book of Mormon?

Where is the proof

For the Book of Mormon?

It's lasting truth

Is the change felt within

Just Like Yesterday's Meal

Just like yesterday's meal
Cannot sustain us for long
The light that we once feel
Must be maintained to stay strong

We need to do the simple seven:  read the scriptures, pray alone and with the family, go to the temple, have FHE, repent, partake of the sacrament, attend meetings, serve and fulfill calling.

Church Holds Cultural Celebration And Dedicates Córdoba Argentina Temple

In a land rich in culture and higher learning
Rises a new symbol of growth and accomplishment
Due to the the Saints faithfulness in righteous living
A temple now stands for each soul's encouragement

What Need Have I?

A testimony of the gospel
A witness of the truth
Assurance that all things are possible
What need have I of proof?

The light of Christ

The light of Christ
Is your sixth sense
It shows what's right
As your conscience

There is No Greater Good!

There is no greater good 

In all the world to find

Than father and motherhood

This is by God's design

Praying for a dear couple who lost a pregnancy last year and are looking at adoption.

Fathers, Mothers, Marriage "There is no greater good in all the world than motherhood." —James E. Faust, "Fathers, Mothers, Marriage" Topics: Mothers

Woodruff High School American Flag Protest

Patriotism's back
In peaceful protest
Stay true to the flag
And freedom protect

A Mother's Touch

A mother's touch can heal
The wounded worried soul
Her influence is real
She has a sacred role

To love, teach, nurture,
Watch over and nourish
She is our future
Through her, hope can flourish

Are We Not All Mothers? "No woman who understands the gospel would ever say, “I am just a mother,” for mothers heal the souls of men." —Sheri L. Dew, "Are We Not All Mothers?" Topics: Mothers

"Sanctity of Life"

This nation conceived in liberty

Who to God raises its sights

Has a moral responsibility

To protect the unborn's rights

#RandPaul

Faces of SUDC 2013

The faces of SUDC

Carry a special light

Called home to Heaven so suddenly

They were needed there, right?

Face to Face with Elder and Sister Bednar

With eyes to see

And ears to hear,

Keep on choosing

What brings Light near.



To shine upon

Your eyes, your face.

Seek truth, be strong,

And faith embrace.



My son said that Elder Bednar gave his mission this same opportunity.  He loved it.  I hope this is done again.  It's a great opportunity for the youth to learn how to fortify their faith.



What one question would you ask of an apostle?  I love how he and his wife turned us to looking in the scriptures and inviting us to pray to receive individual inspiration.

Fortify Your Faith

Fortify your faith
Act today
Blessings do await
Us that way!

Believe, serve, work
And overcome
We face the worst
Still, we've the Son

Of course, our challenges are different today, but they are no less demanding. Instead of angry mobs, we face those who constantly try to defame. Instead of extreme exposure and hardship, we face alcohol and drug abuse, pornography, all kinds of filth, sleaze, greed, dishonesty, and spiritual apathy. Instead of families being uprooted and torn from their homes, we see the institution of the family, including the divine institution of marriage, under attack as groups and individuals seek to define away the prominent and divine role of the family in society.
This is not to suggest that our challenges today are more severe than the challenges faced by those who have gone before us. They are just different. The Lord isn’t asking us to load up a handcart; He’s asking us to fortify our faith. He isn’t asking us to walk across a continent; He’s asking us to walk across the street to visit our neighbor. He isn’t asking us to give all of our worldly possessions to build a temple; He’s asking us to give of our means and our time despite the pressures of modern living to continue to build temples and then to attend regularly the temples already built. He isn’t asking us to die a martyr’s death; He’s asking us to live a disciple’s life.

Promptings

In the quiet moments
Promptings come
As our thoughts are open
To welcome

Scientists just captured stunning images of deep sea creatures off the c...

In the depth of exploration

A whole new world unveils

Wondrous life lies in the ocean

Here color never pales



I am so amazed with the vibrant color found in the depths of the ocean!

Choose Adoption over Abortion

The death of servicemen (and servicewomen)

Is but dwarfed by abortion

We fight for freedoms given

Save the rights of one we shun

I know a couple who tried for years to get pregnant and then when they did it was non life sustaining and died stillborn and premature.  They are now going through the adoption process.  Adoption is always an answer...

“Children are entitled to the blessing of being reared in a stable family environment where father and mother honor marital vows. Having a secure, nurturing, and consistent relationship with both a father and a mother is essential to a child’s well-being. When choosing adoption, unwed parents grant their children this most important blessing. Adoption is an unselfish, loving decision that blesses the child, birth parents, and adoptive parents in this life and throughout the eternities. We commend all those who strengthen children and families by promoting adoption.”

First Presidency statement, Oct. 4, 2006.

Abortion: An Assault on the Defenseless

By Elder Russell M. Nelson

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

The unique connection

Child do you know me?
I am your mother.
Though you cannot see
I am like no other!

You Rock

You rock a sobbing child

And wish to take the pain

To see him through the trial

Experience to gain

Women of God
Neal A. Maxwell

The most Heinous Trial of All Time

The most heinous trial known of all time
Was when Jesus was illegally tried
Not for any sinful thing He did
But the collusion of Sanhedrin

Potential

Look inside of the mind
Potential you will find
That lights through paths made there
As unique gifts to share

I love to see brain scans lit up with our thoughts and actions.

Tasting the Light

The wake up call
Comes from within
After you fall
And prayers begin

Tasting the Light

In greater light

We can see

What comes of Christ

For tasting

I fell asleep during this devotional and woke up to hear these words.  I became fully alert having just had a conversation with my husband about how I sat by the window during Relief Society and could read without my glasses which I had forgotten at home.  You really can see more clearly in light.

Tasting the Light

Taste the light of truth
Goodness nourishes
A witness is proof
Love then flourishes.

Through opposition
Light is found
To reposition
On good ground

In greater light
You see more clearly
What's in plain sight
And treat it dearly

Tasting the Light

Where are you on the faith spectrum?

On a scale from one to ten.

The first step to have? a speck of

Belief to act on often.

Give place for a portion. Curiosity- the learning process. Seek by study and faith. Plant it in your heart.

The lord speaks to mind as thoughts as you ponder.. Then study brings a swelling for the seed is good inspiring one to act on faith.

May 3, 2015: Elder Lynn G. Robbins

The Best is Yet to Come

The best is yet to come
Eternally, to show
We'll get to see the Son
Eternity to know

Life after War and Overcoming Post-Traumatic Stress – His Grace

Through our Savior's mercy and grace
He makes ALL of the difference
The bad in us, He can erase
On the path of deliverance

Inspiring! Thanks for sharing!
We recently had missionary companions in our ward that were both healing from military service and the ugliness of it.

Life in the Lord

Life in the Lord
Is the refiner's fire
You're never bored
As you burn with desire

Presidential Candidate Ted Cruz Speaks at Liberty University

Tis through the grace of God
That we are blessed by providence
Though impossible the odds
Honest souls gain recompense

Presidential Candidate Ted Cruz Speaks at Liberty University

This city on a hill
Has much to fulfill
Let's reignite this land
For liberty at hand

At it Again

You know it takes a friend
To point out what's obvious
You've been at it again
Blinders can be devious

It's Me Again!

Heavenly Father
It is me again
I hate to bother
But I'm at my end

I'm getting more and more absent minded. I'm babysitting two Saint Bernards. I couldn't find the house key. That would be a big clean up if they couldn't go out to do their business!

The Plan of Happiness

His judgments are just; 
His mercy unbound
He compensates us
When our faith is found

The Comforter

No matter how hard the way home may be

I have covenants that weekly renew.

The power of the atonement saves me

To go forth in faith to serve and do

The Comforter

It is in the witness
Of the spirit born
We know God is with us
And mourns with those who mourn

The Comforter

We lighten the load
Of others best
By helping the Lord
Strengthen and bless

The Comforter

Be the hands of the Lord
Assist those in need
Lighten loads, give comfort
He'll be there indeed

The Comforter

Burdens in life
Are made light
Through Jesus Christ
Who hears our cries

The Comforter

There's a reason
We care and give comfort
It is pleasing
To feel, inside, the Lord

The Comforter

Hope, courage, and increased strength
Comes as we do our best
To nourish those in need of faith.
The Spirit comes to bless.

Burdens Made Light

Burdens in life 
Are made light
Through Jesus Christ
Who hears our cries

Shave Off the Edges

He stared at the ceiling
All through the long night
And questioned his feelings
Had he done what was right?

Then he went to the mirror
His hair was like hedges
And thought, "I'll ask the barber,
To take some off the edges."

The epiphany hit him.
He cried out, "Forsooth!
I had shaved off the edges!
And lied with some truth!"

The Jar

Our mother waits
On both sides of the veil
She visits graves
And all of us without fail

I have seen her place flowers into a mason jar and put special stuff on it so the deer won't eat them. Then she distributes them to loved ones at the cemetery who have passed on.  Then she waits for calls and visits from all of us. That is her Mother's Day, Father's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

It's all about the Work

Make a difference in the world
It is all about the work
When it's the lords time
His miracles unfurl

I just watched The Best Two Years.  I loved it and this thought struck me.

8 Hour Sleeping Music, Music Meditation: Delta Waves, Deep Sleep Music, ...

The harp along with heaven's hum

Allows us to drift away

To a safe place where there is love

And hope where peaceful thoughts stay

6 Hour of The Best Beethoven - Classical Music Piano Studying Concentra...

This music's a gift from heaven

It stir up emotions within,

Takes us to a place without thoughts

Where we can focus to be taught

ADD/ADHD Study Aid V.2 | 'Focal Point' Pure Focus & Memory Retention | (...

White noise is relaxing
To sooth your thoughts for sleep
Though your day was taxing
Rem cycles can be deep



Doesn't this sound like a fan blowing through a waterfall?

CCHR: Psychiatry—Labeling Kids with Bogus 'Mental Disorders'

Look inside of the mind
Potential you will find
That lights through paths made there
As unique gifts to share

I love to see brain scans lit up with our thoughts and actions.

Little Boy Official Trailer (2015) - Emily Watson, Tom Wilkinson Movie HD

You can do anything

With a mustard seed of faith

A miracle to bring

Forth... in spite of all you face

The Defining Moment

The moment of truth
Comes unto all.
A trial for proof
You know your call.

Guidance

There's always a way
To turn things around.
When you've faith and pray
The spirit is found.

The Sting of the Scorpion

When parents, in wisdom, boss...
Should you rebel- your own way?
Or care less and be a sloth?
Or... give them heed as that does pay?

Fragile

Who could use your faith,
Your smile...to then look up
With courage and face
Self doubt and say, "Enough!"