Tuesday, April 21, 2026

God is Moving Us to Holier Ground



Complaining, the "why" not understood

an opinion was stated, another answered to retract

"It is in the height of arrogance

to think we know more than God, in fact"


Who are we to correct a prophet

He can see what lies ahead God is molding us 

preparing us, teaching us what we need

listen above the noise. On higher ground, trust


above the many voices you daily hear

go to the temple and feel holiness near

make your home a place to daily connect

where the spirit can be felt to direct


for our spiritual survival

we must stand on holier ground

learn the path of revelation

soaking in the spirit to be found


let light and truth guide each pursuit

complain less and pray more for our leaders

stand on holy ground to regroup

for Christ's peace and joy, urgently be eager


above the many voices you daily hear

go oft to the temple and feel holiness near

make your home a place to daily connect

where the spirit can be felt to direct

and hear Him

follow Him

jeanine Elsholz
There are some people who think our church leaders have gone soft, should change their approach to teaching, or what they are teaching, or how they are handling certain social issues, or that they are making too many changes— It reminds me of an experience we had in our ward Sunday School class several years ago. A comment was made that church leaders were wrong about how they were handling a certain issue. Someone responded with “It is the height of arrogance to think that we know more than God.” I have never forgotten those words. Who are we to correct the prophet? Or the apostles? Who are we to say the church isn’t handling things the way they should be? Who are we to question how they are teaching, or what they are teaching? Are we are trying to mold the church into what WE think it should be, rather than align ourselves with the brethren? With Jesus Christ? We either believe that Jesus Christ stands at the head of this church, and leads it by directing His apostles and prophets, or we do not. It can’t be both. Ever since the October 2020 General Conference, I have come to appreciate that times are different than they have been in the past, and they will continue to change in the future—most likely drastically! Jesus Christ (through His apostles and prophets) is trying to prepare us, and they are teaching us exactly what we need to hear. Having grown up when church leaders did speak openly and strongly about current social issues, I was looking forward to hearing what they would say in that fall of 2020, after the upheaval that had taken place in the world over the summer. And they said nothing. At least nothing about current social issues. But they said PLENTY about where the Lord was wanting to take us! To higher ground. To a much holier place. They were calling for us to leave the world behind and focus our attention on building something much better. President Nelson made it so clear to us how important it would be for EACH of us to learn how to hear the Savior’s voice ourselves. To spend more time in the temple. To spend more time with God in personal worship every day... to learn for OURSELVES how to receive personal revelation, and how to draw upon the power of Jesus Christ— as it will be SO NEEDED as we face the events that are sure to come before the Savior returns. This direction is new, and is much different than the church was when I was growing up. AND IT IS AMAZING! In the words of Steven J. Lund, when changes were made to the “For the Strength of Youth” booklet— “We’re moving to a higher and holier way, where the guidance that we receive from the Brethren, from the Church, is less prescriptive and more spiritually based.” As we listen to our church leaders, the Lord wants us to hear what He is saying, DIRECTLY TO US, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Specifically for each of us. Instructions that may be different for each person, which is why it is so important to hear from God directly, instead of hearing everything from the pulpit. We know what the teachings have been in the past. We know what the Lord expects of His covenant people. Now it is time to take it to a higher level, to a much holier place of revelation— It will be imperative to our spiritual survival moving forward. Our church leaders are trying to gather as many people as possible to the SAFETY of Jesus Christ. They are trying to help us move to HIGHER GROUND. I have such a strong testimony that the prophets have led us to exactly where we need to be and will teach us exactly what the Lord wants us to know at any given general conference. I am SO GRATEFUL to know this! And their teachings the past few years have been incredible! They are spiritual feasts, with clear directives. The Lord will NEVER leave us alone! But it is up to us to CHOOSE to follow where Jesus Christ is leading us. We can’t get lost in the weeds along the way! Follow the prophet, he knows the way.

Sunday, April 19, 2026

Where Will You Go?

 


Every finite frailty

That is known to man

The Lord has the ability

To atone for, He can


Where will you seek

For solace and help

When your heart bleeds

And your life is Hell?


Where will you go

For truths... to know

If... you walk from God

Where His blessings show?


Where will you find

For your family

Covenants that bind

Made eternally


If you turn away now

What of your future

God forever endows

And His laws tutor


In minute ways we can measure

And mirror His life of love

To more fully feel light to treasure

And prepare for life above

Only the Lord Knows and Loves Infinitely

 


Only the Lord Knows and Loves Infinitely

No matter what the world throws at you

The Lord has faced it all, and more!

He knows each thing that man can do

And sees ahead what lies in store


Only the Savior knows

The sum total of the human plight

Our sins, pains, and sorrows

He came to know on that dreadful night


Then,  as the scapegoat, He

Carried our cross on His torn flesh

Ever so willingly

With compassion to save and bless


You are not beneath Christ's call

Nor will you ever be

He descended below us all

To lift us for eternity


Never deny His ability

To atone for the fallen man.

He did so, for us willingly

According to our Father's plan


Now He waits for me and you

Daily, hourly, by the minute

He feels what we're going through

No matter how minute


At the very gospel root

Is one profound truth

The Lord’s atoning blood

Is an infinite river of love


His life blood, at the root

Flows out to branch forth

And produces precious fruit

White and pure from the Lord

Our Savior Immersed Himself into the Seas of Human Experience

 


Our Savior Immersed Himself into the Seas of Human Experience

Our Savior didn't just dip His toes
Into the seas of human experience
Total immersion, He willingly chose
Pain, love, and joy expressed in full variance
That each scintilla of our lives, He knows

That time we thought our anxious heart
Would fail us in our worst time of struggle
He knows how relationships scar
He knows His love helps us in trouble
And that our frailties keep us humble!

Ever speak in reverential tones
And contemplate in awe
How the Lord alone atoned
And can heal, assist, and teach us all!

He is infinite in scope
and individual in reach
He will heal you, help you to cope
Or let you seek , for awhile, to teach
And learn charity, faith, and hope

When Joseph Smith while in liberty jail
Cried, "why hast Thou forsaken me?”
The Lord offered peace to endure it well
Still, for “a moment”, hope was hard to see
Until, the Lord’s perspective calmed his plea

Ever speak in reverential tones
And contemplate in awe
How the Lord alone atoned
And can heal, assist, and teach us all!
Yes, with love, He conquered the Fall

As in Their Hearts They Search












When e'er in their hearts they search
The flag of faith has been flown
By the sisters of the church
In all of the ages known

So often it is the women
Who carry the torch of faith
As a banner for beautiful living
Knowing through trial there's hope to embrace


Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
Lessons From Liberty Jail
CES Fireside for Young Adults
September 7, 2008 •
Brigham Young University

[Verse 1] When e'er in their hearts they search The flag of faith has been flown By the sisters of the church In all of the ages known So often it is the women Who carry the torch of faith Through weary hands and long-night tears They keep the promise safe [Pre-Chorus] And when the road grows steep They still will stand With steadfast love In each trembling hand [Chorus] Sisters of the church You lift the banner high Sisters of the church You teach us how to rise (How to rise) [Verse 2] In kitchens, pews, and quiet rooms Their prayers have built our days They mend the torn and call us home With mercy in their ways A banner for beautiful living A lamp through fear and night Knowing through trial there's hope to embrace And hope can still ignite [Pre-Chorus] And when the road grows steep They still will stand With steadfast love In each trembling hand [Chorus] Sisters of the church You lift the banner high Sisters of the church You teach us how to rise (How to rise) [Bridge] From mother, aunt, and friend From saint and friend unseen Your faith has walked before us And made the hard road clean We hear your gentle yes We feel your steady flame Till every heart can answer And call upon that name [Final Chorus] Sisters of the church You lift the banner high Sisters of the church You teach us how to rise (How to rise) Sisters of the church Sisters of the church Your love will never die Sisters of the church Sisters of the church You lead us to the light (You lead us to the light)

My Shelfari Bookshelf

Shelfari: Book reviews on your book blog

Blog Archive

power to change

power to change
comes from words from the heart (click on image)

Popular Posts for the Week

He's Been There Before

He's Been There Before by Elder Troy Whittle
The alarm bell rings at 6:30, I stumble to my feet
I grab my companions bedding and pull off his sheets
A groan fills the room, is it already time to arise?
It seems like just a second ago I was able to shut my eyes

The morning activities follow- study, prayer and such
When it's time to leave the apartment, you feel you haven't accomplished much
"We have a super day planned," My comp. says with a grin
I lowly utter a faithless breath, "Yeah, if anyone lets us in."

With the word of God and my faithful Schwinn, we ride off in the street prepared to
Face another day of humidity and heat
It's 9:30 in the evening, the day is almost through
My champion and I are riding home not accomplishing what we thought to do

We ride up to the mailbox, hoping to receive a lot
Only to look inside and hear my echo reverberate "air Box"
We go up to our apartment, the day is now complete
The only thing to show for our work is a case of blistery feet

It's past 10:30 p.m. My companion is fast asleep,
Silence engulfs me all about and I begin to weep
In the midst of sadness, I kneel down to pray
I need to talk to father, but I'm not sure what to say

"Oh, Father" I begin, "What happened to us today?
I thought we'd teach somebody, but everyone was away
My hands, my aching hands- worn, hurt and beat;
If our area was any smaller, we'd have knocked every street"

"Why on missions are the days so much alike?
The only difference about today was the flat tire on my bike
Will you send some cooler weather? The heat is killing me
I sweat so bad, it gets in my eyes, it's very hard to see"

"Why do I have to wear a helmet, isn't your protection enough?
People always laugh at me, and call me stupid stuff
Please send us investigators so I may give them what they lack
I want to give them Books of Mormon, the weight of them hurts my back"

"And what about my family: They don't have much to say
I'm sick of not hearing from home day after day after day
Oh Father, Why am I here am I just wasting time?
Sometimes I just want to go home, I'm sorry but that's on my mind"

"My companion, Heavenly Father, what are you giving me?
"The way he rides his bicycle, I don't think he can see
Now you have it, I can't go on, I don't know what to do
That, my Father in Heaven, is the prayer I have for you"

My prayer now finished, I stand up, then jump right into bed
I need my rest for tomorrow, we have another long day ahead
Sleep start to overtake me, I seem to drift away
Then it seems a vision takes me to another time in another day

I'm standing alone on the hill. The view is very nice
A man walks to wards me and says, "My name is Jesus Christ"
Tears of joy well up inside, I fall down to His feet
"Arise," He states, "Follow me to the shade. You and I need to speak"

My attention's towards my Savior, total and complete
He says, "Your mission is similar of what happened to me
I understand how you feel, I know what you're going through
In fact, it would be fair to say I've felt the same as you"

"I even know how you felt when no one listened to you
At times I felt not quite sure what else I could do
I know you don't like to ride a bicycle, for you a car would be sweet
Just remember the donkey I rode wasn't equipped with 21 speeds"

"I understand you don't like sweating, in fact it's something you hate
I remember when I sweat blood from ev’ry pore, oh the agony was great!
I see you don't like your companion- you'd rather have someone else-
I once had a companion named Judas who sold my life for wealth"

"It's hard to wear a helmet and have people make fun of you
I remember when they put thorns on my head and called me King of the Jews
So you feel burdened down by the weight of your pack
I recall how heavy the cross was when they slammed it on my back"


"Your hands hurt from tracting and knocking on doors all day
I guess when they pounded nails into mine, I ached in a similar way
It's hard not to hear from home when your family's not there to see
I lost communication on the cross and cried, "Father, why hast Thou forsaken me?"

"We have a lot in common, but there's a difference between us you see
I endured to the end and finished my mission, so follow and do like me"
He embraced me with His arms and His light filled me with His love
With tears in my eyes I watched as He went back to the Father above

I stood with awe and wonder when a beep rang in my head
I listened and heard the alarm, then realized I was in my bed
My companion let out a groan, "6:30 already, no way!"
I sat up and said, "Come on, I'll even carry your scriptures today!"

No matter what we go through, when we feel we can't take more
Just stop and think about Jesus Christ, He's been there before
By Elder Troy Whittle
Texas Houston
listen to this as a song
Mission
https://ldspoetrybykellymiller.blogspot.com/2008/06/hes-been-there-before.html

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

These poems are my own thoughts and impressions as I study the gospel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints

I encourage you to read from the Book of Mormon and the standard works, and listen to modern day prophets, also, that your mind and heart might be touched.

Kelly Miller

153 -views 2015


Global Statistics
Visits from 153 countries registered.
No.CountryDate of Last VisitPercent & Number of Visits ↓
1
United States
June 15, 2015
82.86%25,281
2
United Kingdom
June 14, 2015
2.61%795
3
Canada
June 13, 2015
2.42%737
4
Australia
June 13, 2015
1.81%551
5
Philippines
June 14, 2015
1.35%412
6
New Zealand
June 14, 2015
0.99%303
7
India
June 14, 2015
0.79%241
8
Brazil
June 14, 2015
0.58%176
9
Germany
May 15, 2015
0.49%151
10
Mexico
June 3, 2015
0.40%121
11
South Africa
June 8, 2015
0.34%105
12
Russian Federation
Apr 20, 2015
0.26%80
13
France
June 3, 2015
0.21%64
14
Malaysia
June 5, 2015
0.14%44
15
Czech Republic
Apr 17, 2015
0.14%42
16
Pakistan
Mar 21, 2015
0.13%41
17
Spain
Apr 28, 2015
0.13%41
18
Italy
June 8, 2015
0.13%39
19
Netherlands
May 28, 2015
0.12%38
20
Europe
June 11, 2015
0.11%35
21
Indonesia
May 18, 2015
0.11%35
22
Cote D'Ivoire
May 17, 2015
0.11%35
23
Japan
Apr 17, 2015
0.11%33
24
Singapore
May 28, 2015
0.11%33
25
United Arab Emirates
Apr 25, 2015
0.10%32
26
Argentina
Apr 27, 2015
0.10%31
27
Korea, Republic of
Feb 1, 2015
0.10%31
28
-
May 10, 2015
0.10%31
29
Thailand
Apr 5, 2015
0.10%30
30
Ireland
May 19, 2015
0.10%29
31
Jamaica
June 1, 2015
0.09%28
32
Turkey
June 14, 2015
0.09%28
33
Trinidad and Tobago
May 18, 2015
0.09%26
34
Sweden
May 8, 2015
0.09%26
35
Guatemala
May 5, 2015
0.08%24
36
Denmark
May 10, 2015
0.08%23
37
Saudi Arabia
May 1, 2015
0.07%20
38
Nigeria
Apr 4, 2015
0.07%20
39
Hong Kong
Apr 18, 2015
0.07%20
40
Colombia
May 29, 2015
0.07%20
41
Chile
Mar 23, 2015
0.06%19
42
Finland
Mar 25, 2015
0.06%19
43
Taiwan
Mar 28, 2015
0.06%18
44
Romania
May 17, 2015
0.06%18
45
Fiji
Feb 27, 2015
0.06%17
46
Ghana
May 8, 2015
0.06%17
47
Belgium
May 30, 2015
0.05%16
48
Switzerland
Apr 12, 2015
0.05%16
49
Poland
Apr 6, 2015
0.05%15
50
American Samoa
Apr 10, 2015
0.05%14
51
Ecuador
Feb 23, 2015
0.05%14
52
Serbia
Mar 10, 2015
0.05%14
53
Austria
Apr 8, 2015
0.04%13
54
Senegal
Nov 24, 2014
0.04%13
55
Norway
June 1, 2015
0.04%13
56
Uruguay
Aug 18, 2014
0.04%12
57
Peru
Apr 13, 2015
0.04%12
58
Portugal
Apr 6, 2015
0.04%12
59
Kenya
Oct 29, 2014
0.04%12
60
Tonga
Dec 9, 2014
0.04%11
61
Dominican Republic
Mar 12, 2015
0.04%11
62
Hungary
Feb 16, 2015
0.03%10
63
Guyana
Apr 28, 2015
0.03%10
64
Bangladesh
Jan 19, 2015
0.03%9
65
Algeria
Feb 5, 2015
0.03%9
66
Kuwait
Mar 30, 2015
0.03%9
67
Egypt
Apr 4, 2015
0.03%9
68
Belize
May 8, 2015
0.03%9
69
Costa Rica
Feb 4, 2015
0.03%8
70
Bahamas
Jan 9, 2015
0.03%8
71
Israel
Feb 27, 2015
0.03%8
72
Ukraine
Jan 24, 2015
0.03%8
73
Asia/Pacific Region
June 9, 2015
0.03%8
74
Honduras
Feb 6, 2015
0.02%7
75
Cyprus
Mar 21, 2015
0.02%7
76
Guam
Apr 10, 2015
0.02%7
77
Greece
June 2, 2015
0.02%7
78
China
Dec 16, 2014
0.02%7
79
Panama
Apr 7, 2015
0.02%6
80
Morocco
Mar 3, 2015
0.02%6
81
Sri Lanka
Sept 28, 2014
0.02%6
82
Iraq
Feb 25, 2015
0.02%6
83
Togo
June 6, 2015
0.02%6
84
Botswana
May 7, 2015
0.02%6
85
El Salvador
Apr 23, 2015
0.02%5
86
Vietnam
Oct 30, 2014
0.02%5
87
Cook Islands
June 3, 2015
0.02%5
88
Bulgaria
Oct 27, 2014
0.02%5
89
Lithuania
June 23, 2014
0.02%5
90
Slovakia
Jan 19, 2015
0.02%5
91
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Mar 23, 2015
0.02%5
92
French Polynesia
Nov 23, 2014
0.02%5
93
Bahrain
Nov 11, 2014
0.02%5
94
Slovenia
Jan 16, 2015
0.02%5
95
Grenada
Mar 10, 2015
0.02%5
96
Qatar
Jan 15, 2015
0.02%5
97
Saint Lucia
May 8, 2015
0.02%5
98
Puerto Rico
Feb 27, 2015
0.01%4
99
Tunisia
Jan 23, 2015
0.01%4
100
Malta
Mar 22, 2015
0.01%4
101
Croatia
Jan 20, 2015
0.01%4
102
New Caledonia
Jan 13, 2015
0.01%4
103
Barbados
Apr 29, 2014
0.01%4
104
Azerbaijan
Jan 14, 2015
0.01%4
105
Moldova, Republic of
Nov 29, 2014
0.01%3
106
Lebanon
Feb 11, 2014
0.01%3
107
Zimbabwe
July 23, 2014
0.01%3
108
Benin
Feb 19, 2015
0.01%3
109
Antigua and Barbuda
Aug 1, 2014
0.01%3
110
Isle of Man
Dec 20, 2014
0.01%3
111
Bhutan
June 8, 2015
0.01%3
112
Venezuela
May 14, 2014
0.01%3
113
Georgia
Mar 3, 2015
0.01%2
114
Namibia
Oct 22, 2014
0.01%2
115
Armenia
Jan 12, 2015
0.01%2
116
Virgin Islands, U.S.
June 20, 2014
0.01%2
117
Jordan
May 19, 2015
0.01%2
118
Mozambique
June 23, 2014
0.01%2
119
Uganda
Aug 4, 2014
0.01%2
120
Marshall Islands
Jan 28, 2015
0.01%2
121
Mauritius
Feb 20, 2015
0.01%2
122
Oman
May 12, 2014
0.01%2
123
Curacao
Apr 29, 2015
0.01%2
124
Sierra Leone
Apr 26, 2015
0.01%2
125
Samoa
Nov 1, 2013
0.01%2
126
Saint Kitts and Nevis
June 30, 2013
0.01%2
127
Macau
July 18, 2014
0.01%2
128
Albania
Aug 17, 2014
0.01%2
129
Dominica
Mar 12, 2013
0.01%2
130
Ethiopia
Jan 8, 2015
0.01%2
131
Estonia
Mar 20, 2015
0.01%2
132
Cape Verde
May 27, 2013
0.00%1
133
Cayman Islands
July 27, 2014
0.00%1
134
Cambodia
Sept 16, 2013
0.00%1
135
Myanmar
July 18, 2014
0.00%1
136
Lesotho
Jan 12, 2013
0.00%1
137
Mongolia
Mar 14, 2015
0.00%1
138
Zambia
Apr 22, 2013
0.00%1
139
Montenegro
Nov 19, 2014
0.00%1
140
Kazakhstan
Jan 9, 2015
0.00%1
141
Nicaragua
May 29, 2014
0.00%1
142
Paraguay
Mar 10, 2013
0.00%1
143
Haiti
Feb 1, 2015
0.00%1
144
Timor-Leste
Feb 21, 2013
0.00%1
145
Iceland
June 20, 2014
0.00%1
146
Aruba
Jan 9, 2014
0.00%1
147
Liberia
Jan 3, 2014
0.00%1
148
Northern Mariana Islands
Oct 9, 2014
0.00%1
149
Gibraltar
Jan 27, 2014
0.00%1
150
Swaziland
June 16, 2014
0.00%1
151
Jersey
Mar 30, 2013
0.00%1
152
Niue
Nov 30, 2014
0.00%1
153
Latvia

Followers