First God and Family

Everyone wants

A part of you

Your attention

And what you can do

A new work project

Your wife needs a date

You feel the conflict

But, some things can't wait

Then a new callings 

Adds to your plate

More time, more helping

More growth and more faith

Like a man with a bowl

First add what is big

Then shake in the small

Now all will fit in

First God and family

A light grows within

Through projects happening

You've strength to the end

[Verse 1] Everyone wants a part of you, Your attention and what you can do. A new work project, your wife needs a date, You feel the conflict, some things can’t wait. [Verse 2] Then a new calling adds to your plate, More time, more helping, more growth, more faith. The hours stretch, but your purpose is clear, You learn what matters by holding it near. [Chorus] Like a man with a bowl, first add what is big, Then shake in the small till it settles within. First God and family; let that light begin, Through projects and seasons, find strength to the end. [Bridge] Give the best of your day where it’s needed most, Keep a hand for your neighbor, a heart for your home. When the pieces are ordered, the crowded can fit, And the weight that you carry grows lighter with it. [Final Chorus] Like a man with a bowl, first add what is big, Then shake in the small till it settles within. First God and family; let that light begin, Through projects and seasons, find strength to the end. [Outro] First God and family, Then the rest falls in.

Thoughts from Brother Bench's testimony.

Angel Mother Sent

Mommy didn't want to go

She fought through cancer, to live

Her love for you, both, still grows

As an angel mother sent

Her words could not come out

To prepare and say goodbye

God is real. Do not doubt

In a dream, she slipped away

She endured to the end

It was love that carried her

Yes again and again

Leaving you both worried her

In all your special moments

She will definitely be there

You'll feel the heavens open

You will feel her everywhere

Remember to say your prayers

And know she watches as you sleep

Remember to take best care

Of love in forever's keep

When reading of children losing their mother to cancer and looking at the family pictures brings you to tears, don't think it is creepy.  It is from the celebration of the love they have and feeling the pain they are going through.

Good Faith Negotiation

Good faith negotiation 

Invites more than tolerance

Experiences are shared

And heard with an open stance

Practice tolerance

Free of lowly bigotry

In each existence 

Is God's given dignity

The dignity of each soul

Must be honored and respected

To start, see a common goal

Where truth and light is reflected

As followers of Christ,

It's for righteous harmony we seek.

Our boundaries are God’s laws!

How we need His lens of love, to see!

                      Dignity

Avoid the need to always be right

Refrain from labeling adverse others

Ignore what takes away from God's light

Listen to hear the plight of our brothers

[Verse 1] Good faith negotiation Invites more than tolerance Experiences are shared And heard with an open stance [Verse 2] Practice tolerance Free of lowly bigotry In each existence Is God-given dignity [Chorus] The dignity of each soul Must be honored and respected To start, see a common goal Where truth and light are reflected [Bridge] As followers of Christ, It's for righteous harmony we seek. Our boundaries are God's laws! How we need His lens of love, to see! [Verse 3] Avoid the need to always be right Refrain from labeling adverse others Ignore what takes away from God's light Listen to hear the plight of our brothers [Outro] Listen with an open stance Honor every soul Seek the common ground in love And let that mercy guide us all

An adverse party is the party with contrary interests to one’s own.

https://youtu.be/By8xh8L5qr4?si=exAP9P_O7L1yURYo

President Oaks spoke at University of Virginia

#followchrist

https://fiveable.me/key-terms/introduction-public-speaking/open-stance

"Definition

An open stance refers to a body position in which a speaker stands with their feet shoulder-width apart and their arms relaxed at their sides or open to the audience. This posture signals confidence and approachability, inviting engagement and conveying a sense of openness that enhances the effectiveness of communication."

About this video

President Oaks discusses the importance of achieving harmony in a pluralistic society despite deep divisions (0:31). He emphasizes that individuals should accept the reality of needing each other as fellow citizens (0:57) and be willing to live peacefully with those holding different values (1:02).

Key principles for fostering harmony include:

Understanding and respecting others' experiences and concerns (1:13).

Avoiding a "culture of contempt" (1:32) and refraining from labeling adversaries with insults like "godless" or "bigots" (1:50).

Ignoring minor provocations and insults (2:26) rather than mirroring them.

Listening to understand others (2:50), as exemplified by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks.

Balancing conflicting constitutional rights (3:16) through legal and political negotiation, ensuring essential rights are upheld to the greatest extent possible.

Practicing tolerance (4:07) free of bigotry.

Going beyond mere tolerance to achieve true harmony (4:59), recognizing the God-given dignity in every human being and aiming for cooperation and mutual respect (4:37).

ttps://biblehub.com › topical › tTopical Bible: The Harmony of Truth and Righteousness

Righteousness in the biblical context refers to living in accordance with God's standards. It is both a legal standing before God and a moral quality that believers are..

The Woman: A Vessel- A Symbol of Christ

The woman:  a vessel, a symbol of Christ

Physically bears and prepares to give birth 

Through her comes water, blood, spirit- new life

Spiritually of Him, how we need His rebirth!

He offers His body, His heart, His soul

Nothing of Him is superficial

He gave everything to make us whole

Ever... He has proved we are special

[Verse 1] The woman, a vessel, a sign of Christ, She bears new life within her frame. Through her, the water, blood, and Spirit, A breath of life calls us by name. [Chorus] Through Him, be born again; His mercy makes us whole. He gives His body, heart, and soul, And holds each precious soul. [Verse 2] Nothing in Him is superficial; He gives completely, nothing held. His love restores what has been broken, A faithful truth our hearts can tell. [Chorus] Through Him, be born again; His mercy makes us whole. He gives His body, heart, and soul, And holds each precious soul. [Bridge] Ever He shows us we are cherished, Ever His grace is drawing near. In every breath, a life made new; In every doubt, His love is here. [Final Chorus] Through Him, be born again; His mercy makes us whole. He gives His body, heart, and soul, And holds each precious soul. [Outro] His love makes us whole. His love makes us whole

Pondering Whitney Permann's (Mercy River) insightful comments read at: Diapers 
http://by159w.bay159.mail.live.com/default.aspx#!/mail/InboxLight.aspx?n=1816231929!n=1006030860&fid=1&fav=1&mid=7733b6bc-6856-11e1-a2ed-00215ad96b9a&fv=1

I Was Blind Now I See - The God That Doest Wonders

There will always be many miracles

If we look to see with spiritual eyes

And tune our ears to beyond, this, our world

To manifestations of God in our lives

It is hard to argue with true results

His power transcends understanding

Though the arrogant may try to deny

When, you are the one left in awe, standing

One Sabbath day, Jesus saw a man 

Who had been blind, even since his birth

Then Jesus anointed him with mud

The Pharisees claimed evil was but at work

A controversy rose in the upper ranks

Was He a man of miracles or not?

Would He perform such on the given day of rest

They asked the blind man to be taught

Making eye contact with each one present

This a new and precious privilege

He told them Jesus was a prophet

But, they decided the miracle was not of Jesus

They told the once blind man to give God the praise

That Jesus, healing on the Sabbath, proved Him a sinner

The man replied He knew not, save that he could see

Later, cast out, Jesus taught Him and a witness did enter

I was blind and now I see

A miracle was handed me

By, Jesus, who I am worshipping

The Son of God, in whom I believe

With eyes to see and ears to hear

He knew physically and spiritually

Save momentarily, his eyes blurred tearing

He knew it was love that taught him, clearly

President Howard W. Hunter delivers a message titled "The God That Doest Wonders"

April 2015

Stand Strong with your Armor On- Gospel Truths Abide

It used to be that sin
Had to be sought for
Well not anymore
Sin lies at the door

Picture yourself a knight
Defending the castle gate
Trained and prepared to fight
Against aggressors that wait

Withstand the evil day
Be found firm, steadfast, and
Strong with the shield of faith,
Armor, and sword in hand

Gird your loins with God's truth
To your breast, righteousness
Let your feet be well shod, too
To battle wickedness

Quench the fiery darts
That would, to you, destroy
Your shield of faith imparts
Great power to deploy

With a helmet to your head
Recognize temptation
With the sword of truth look ahead
Toward your salvation

Gospel truths abide forever
And do not succumb to pressure
Though the world may grow more clever
It's our covenants that we treasure

I had a wonderful time writing this in the waiting room of the temple.  It is always a pleasure to see wedding groups pass by.
Elder Robert D. Hales
Stand Strong in Holy Places
Ensign, May 2013

With Every Feeling in His Heart

With every feeling in his heart
Joseph Smith made a deep connection
Never did more power impart
As he read each word in new reflection

Reading from James 1: 5-6
He came to a mighty conclusion
That he must do as each word directs
Or feel darkness, lost in confusion

If any of us lack wisdom
Then we must ask of God while in prayer
The best source where all truth is from
We can know that of us, He's aware

We yield our minds to new insights
As we pour out what we have pondered
And the Holy Spirit highlights
With a confirmation that's rendered

Wickedness never was happiness
With each action, there's consequence
What we have gleaned from righteousness
We must record without hesitance

Within our hearts, we must maintain
Powerful teachings that guide our day
Blessings that we want to obtain
Come from obedience and our faith

My thoughts from
Yielding Our Hearts to God
Spencer J. Condie
BYU Devotional address
August 22, 1995