Close to Heaven

The temple lies at the center

To our understanding of the Lord

We feel close to Him as we enter

As for God's family we come to serve

Come. Learn and strengthen your faith 

Gain spiritual fortitude

Show your love for God and Jesus

In service and gratitude

Come. Grow a heart God can fill

With the spirit and with love

Learn what this means: "peace be still"

Feel bridged with Heaven above

Through the priesthood, dedicate

Your dwelling place as a house of love

Of service of beauty, Go. recreate

That feeling...close to Heaven above

[Verse 1] The temple lies at the center To our understanding of the Lord We feel close to Him as we enter As for God's family we come to serve Come. [Pre-Chorus] Learn and strengthen your faith Gain spiritual fortitude Show your love for God and Jesus In service and gratitude Come. [Chorus] Grow a heart God can fill With the spirit and with love Feel bridged with Heaven above (Heaven above) Go, learn what this means [Verse 2] Peace be still Feel bridged with Heaven above Through the priesthood, dedicate Your dwelling place as a house of love Of service, of beauty Go. [Pre-Chorus] Learn and strengthen your faith Gain spiritual fortitude Show your love for God and Jesus In service and gratitude Come. [Chorus] Grow a heart God can fill With the spirit and with love Feel bridged with Heaven above (Heaven above) Go, learn what this means [Bridge] That feeling Close to Heaven above A house of love A life that serves A heart made room For mercy and grace [Chorus] Grow a heart God can fill With the spirit and with love Feel bridged with Heaven above (Heaven above) Go, learn what this means

“The temple lies at the center of strengthening our faith and spiritual fortitude because the Savior and His doctrine are the very heart of the temple,” he said, quoting his predecessor, President Russell M. Nelson. “Everything taught in the temple, through instruction and through the Spirit, increases our understanding of Jesus Christ.”

He called first to teach, testify, and convert all to the Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer.” Second to that is an invitation to convert to Christ’s restored Church.

“In a world where fewer and fewer people believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, it is important 

for us to follow that order, for out of knowledge of and conversion to the Lord Jesus Christ, 

conversion to the additional truths of the restored Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 

will come naturally,” President Oaks explained.

https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/president-oaks-dedicates-belo-horizonte-brazil-temple

“When we come to the temple, we come to a place which is dedicated exclusively for the service of the Lord. And as a result, the Spirit of the Lord is stronger here than any other building except a well-functioning home.” Latter-day Saints view the temple as the singular place on earth that gets us closest to God and the Spirit. But President Oaks teaches us here that the Spirit of the Lord can be felt even stronger in a well-functioning home. What a powerful and motivating principle. May we all strive to make our homes Houses of the Lord where His Spirit can freely abide.

https://x.com/PeacemakingSt/status/2089183147678200145?s=20

Bright and Perfect Day

Our Heavenly Father 

Omniscient and omnipotent

Is the giver of every good gift

Gave us free agency- mortality sent

This gift to choose and act on our own

Comes with a heavy price of consequence

 Thus, He provided us with a Savior to atone

And to know to say, "Satan, get thee hence!"

In these, the latter-days 

To order to spiritually survive

We must keep with us always

The Holy Ghost.  Awake!  Come alive!

Choose the good.  Choose Christ!

Again and again- choose eternal life!

Let the Holy Ghost be a light

That stays with you in a dark room

Let it flood you with intelligence

Like rays of light... such warmth! You'll bloom!

Let the Holy Ghost fill your heart

Even that you might see heaven's view

Know before each time good will start

The destroyer will come after you

Believe, hope and trust in what lies ahead

Don't let His light diminish in any way

Reconnect.  Nurture your soul.  Be fed

Looking forward to the Bright and Perfect Day

Verse 1] Our Heavenly Father Omniscient and omnipotent Is the giver of every good gift Gave us free agency- mortality sent This gift to choose and act on our own Comes with a heavy price of consequence Thus, He provided us with a Savior to atone And to know to say, Satan, get thee hence! [Pre-Chorus] In these, the latter-days To order to spiritually survive We must keep with us always The Holy Ghost. Awake! Come alive! [Chorus] Choose Christ Again and again Choose eternal life Choose Christ The Holy Ghost The Holy Ghost [Verse 2] Let the Holy Ghost be a light That stays with you in a dark room Let it flood you with intelligence Like rays of light... such warmth! You'll bloom! Let the Holy Ghost fill your heart Even that you might see heaven's view Know before each time good will start The destroyer will come after you [Pre-Chorus] Believe, hope and trust in what lies ahead Don't let His light diminish in any way Reconnect. Nurture your soul. Be fed Looking forward to the Bright and Perfect Day [Chorus] Choose Christ Again and again Choose eternal life Choose Christ The Holy Ghost The Holy Ghost [Bridge] Awake! Come alive! Keep that light in you When the shadows lean in close He will lead you through [Final Chorus] Choose Christ Again and again Choose eternal life Choose Christ The Holy Ghost The Holy Ghost

October 2025

The Eternal Gift of Testimony

Elder Kevin G. Brown

check out this wonderfully highlighted  study aid...

https://ldsconferencestudyaid.com/2025/11/26/the-eternal-gift-of-testimony-by-elder-kevin-g-brown/

Freeing our Hearts to Our King

In the meridian of time, for the Jews
Midst subjugation, murder, and tyranny
They searched prophecies for signs of good news
And grew anxious for the birth of their King

But, He was born to a family- quite common
Who had the burden of labor to bear
How could teachings of forgiveness and love help them?
Threat was a palpable feeling in the air

Because of the occupation over the land
They wanted someone to bring to them justice
To free them from the present scourge at hand
Instead of hope, they saw trouble from Jesus

Still, He taught those with eyes to see and ears to hear
In the common language....parables to understand
He reached humble hearts and God's ways were made clear
It was faith and good works- that would free this promised land

To look to the world- the arms of the flesh
Only causes battles for power to rage on
Treasonously, they put Him to death
By crucifixion which was heinously long!

He was put to death by them and for them
His compassion and love was expressed
He prayed that they would be forgiven
As, through Him, all mankind would be blessed

Now at this season where we give and receive
And teach our children the wonders of His birth
May we gather with loved ones this Christmas Eve
And seek for the Babe with our hearts, for rebirth

May we hold in our hearts pure charity
And seek to forgive and be forgiven
May we let Him teach us with clarity
His great Sermon on the Mount, once given

May we be as a child and humbly submit
To all that our Father requires
Obey His commandments and recommit
To serve Him who freely inspires

Verse 1] In the meridian of time, for the Jews Midst subjugation, murder, and tyranny They searched prophecies for signs of good news And grew anxious for the birth of their King [Verse 2] But He was born to a family quite common Who had the burden of labor to bear How could teachings of forgiveness and love help them? Threat was a palpable feeling in the air [Pre-Chorus] Because of the occupation over the land They wanted someone to bring to them justice To free them from the present scourge at hand Instead of hope, they saw trouble from Jesus [Chorus] Still, He taught those with eyes to see and ears to hear In the common language, parables to understand He reached humble hearts and God's ways were made clear It was faith and good works that would free this promised land [Verse 3] To look to the world, the arms of the flesh Only causes battles for power to rage on Treasonously, they put Him to death By crucifixion which was heinously long [Verse 4] He was put to death by them and for them His compassion and love was expressed He prayed that they would be forgiven As, through Him, all mankind would be blessed [Chorus] Still, He taught those with eyes to see and ears to hear In the common language, parables to understand He reached humble hearts and God's ways were made clear It was faith and good works that would free this promised land [Bridge] Now at this season where we give and receive And teach our children the wonders of His birth May we gather with loved ones this Christmas Eve And seek for the Babe with our hearts, for rebirth [Outro] May we hold in our hearts pure charity And seek to forgive and be forgiven May we let Him teach us with clarity His great Sermon on the Mount, once given May we be as a child and humbly submit To all that our Father requires Obey His commandments and recommit To serve Him who freely inspires

'Pula a e Ne' Let It Rain in Botswana, Eswatini, Zambia, and Zimbabwe

 Let it rain upon us today

With God's blessings pouring down on us

That we withstand trials, we pray

Fill us with Living Water from Jesus

Prosper our lands our homes our hearts

Help us to spiritually survive

Let us spread "pula" everywhere

That, in the spirit, we come alive

Lift us out of our daily struggles

Fill us with hope beyond measure

Here we offer our humble tithing

And the Heavens open and restore

The gospel grows forth here and the priesthood

We make covenants in God's holy temple

We are hastening the work in His vineyard

The love God showers, we share with all our people 

 

[Verse 1] Let it rain upon us today With God's blessings pouring down on us That we withstand trials, we pray Fill us with Living Water from Jesus Prosper our lands, our homes, our hearts Help us to spiritually survive Let us spread pula everywhere That, in the spirit, we come alive [Pre-Chorus] Lift us out of our daily struggles Fill us with hope beyond measure Here we offer our humble tithing And the Heavens open and restore [Chorus] The Heavens open here The Heavens open here Pour it down on us Pour it down on us The Heavens open here The Heavens open here Blessings here, pula Blessings here, pula [Verse 2] The gospel grows forth here and the priesthood We make covenants in God's holy temple We are hastening the work in His vineyard The love God showers, we share with all our people Hands to the plow, hearts in His name Every seed we sow will rise Through every burden, through every flame We keep our eyes on the prize [Pre-Chorus] Lift us out of our daily struggles Fill us with hope beyond measure Here we offer our humble tithing And the Heavens open and restore [Chorus] The Heavens open here The Heavens open here Pour it down on us Pour it down on us The Heavens open here The Heavens open here Blessings here, pula Blessings here, pula [Bridge] We come with faith We come with hands open wide We come with praise And we will not turn aside Living Water, fall Living Water, stay Teach our hearts to give Teach our feet Your way [Final Chorus] The Heavens open here The Heavens open here Pour it down on us Pour it down on us The Heavens open here The Heavens open here Blessings here, pula Blessings here, pula

Elder Gong and his wife visited these countries in Africa and he interviewed a young man who taught them about 'pula'. They have a bigger picture of what community means and are amazing at sharing the gospel. 

Like rain, when God showers us with blessings, it blesses us all. We loved learning lessons like this while ministering in the Africa South Area. It's incredible to witness the impact of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ on the lives of God's children throughout the world. The work of the Lord is truly hastening in this part of His vineyard. I invite you to join with me as we discover how God is inspiring and blessing His children in countries like Botswana, Eswatini, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, where Sister Gong and I had the privilege to visit recently.

https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2026/06/05/elder-gerrit-gong-south-africa-ministry-rain-blessings-angola-mozambique-madagascar/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVYANCJd-Rs

And the Lord of the vineyard said unto them: Go to, and labor in the vineyard, with your might. For behold, this is the last time that I shall nourish my vineyard; for the end is nigh at hand, and the season speedily cometh; and if ye labor with your might with me ye shall have joy in the fruit which I shall lay up unto myself against the time which will soon come.” - Jacob 5:71

Faith in Jesus Christ

The genesis of a human body
Begins with the union of just two cells
Twenty- three chromosomes from each unite
What this child will look like, this cell foretells.

Twenty- two days later, heart beats are heard.
In four more days blood's in circulation.
As cells multiply and divide away,
Into an amazing creation.

From electricity, the heart works hard.
Delicate valves open and close in pace.
Soon form the eyes to see and ears to hear,
As the nerves and muscles grow in their place.

The body is made with back-up systems
Tools for resistance are generated.
The bones can mend, skin can heal, and leaks can seal.
As fixed temperatures are regulated.

Unto every kingdom is given a law.
And every law has bounds and conditions.
This scientists can measure and define,
Laws apply to all of God's creations.

The phase of the moon, the stars in the sky-
Their courses are fixed to heaven and earth.
Such order bears witness of majesty.
In seven days, God formed law and all birth.

The scriptures declare of our beginning.
Each man's been organized in God's image.
The male and female, created He them,
For us laws were formed, to the very edge.

[Verse 1] The genesis of a human body Begins with the union of just two cells Twenty- three chromosomes from each unite What this child will look like, this cell foretells Twenty- two days later, heart beats are heard In four more days blood's in circulation As cells multiply and divide away, Into an amazing creation [Pre-Chorus] From electricity, the heart works hard Delicate valves open and close in pace Soon form the eyes to see and ears to hear, As the nerves and muscles grow in their place [Chorus] In seven days, God formed law In seven days, God formed law Such order bears witness of majesty In seven days, God formed law In seven days, God formed law For us laws were formed, to the very edge [Verse 2] The body is made with back-up systems Tools for resistance are generated The bones can mend, skin can heal, and leaks can seal As fixed temperatures are regulated Unto every kingdom is given a law And every law has bounds and conditions This scientists can measure and define, Laws apply to all of God's creations [Pre-Chorus] The phase of the moon, the stars in the sky- Their courses are fixed to heaven and earth Such order bears witness of majesty In seven days, God formed law and all birth [Chorus] In seven days, God formed law In seven days, God formed law Such order bears witness of majesty In seven days, God formed law In seven days, God formed law For us laws were formed, to the very edge [Bridge] The scriptures declare of our beginning Each man's been organized in God's image The male and female, created He them For us laws were formed, to the very edge [Final Chorus] In seven days, God formed law In seven days, God formed law Such order bears witness of majesty In seven days, God formed law In seven days, God formed law For us laws were formed, to the very edge

Dynamic faith in our Lord Jesus Christ
Lends to our minds a new way of thinking.
Works form a conversion and change of heart,
Dawned from His Living wells we're drinking.

We're made alive in Christ, because of faith
And of Him we're spiritually begotten.
There's strength to press forward with steadfastness,
Feeling the love of God unto all men.

With the Book of Mormon and the Bible,
We've scriptures in each hand and we promise.
With full purpose of heart, we preach of Christ.
Showing through works and faith we are His.

I testify that Jesus is the Christ,
The Son of the Living Father
Our Savior, Lord and Advocate.
Exemplar and King, whom we honor.

Made Alive in Christ

Verse 1] Dynamic faith in our Lord Jesus Christ Lends to our minds a new way of thinking Works form a conversion and change of heart Dawned from His Living wells we're drinking We're made alive in Christ, because of faith And of Him we're spiritually begotten There's strength to press forward with steadfastness Feeling the love of God unto all men [Pre-Chorus] With the Book of Mormon and the Bible We've scriptures in each hand and we promise With full purpose of heart We lean in and believe [Chorus] We are His We are His Showing through works and faith We are His We are His Made alive in Christ [Verse 2] Each seeker can know that Jesus is the Christ The Son of the Living Father Our Savior, Lord and Advocate Before God...giving Him all the power and honor And when the road gets long Your mercy carries on We hold to what is sure We sing it strong [Pre-Chorus] With the Book of Mormon and the Bible We've scriptures in each hand and we promise With full purpose of heart We lean in and believe [Chorus] We are His We are His Showing through works and faith We are His We are His Made alive in Christ [Bridge] Each seeker can know Each heart can bow Jesus is the Christ Here and now The Son of the Living Father Our Savior, Lord and Advocate Before God...giving Him all the power And honor [Final Chorus] We are His We are His Showing through works and faith We are His We are His Made alive in Christ

-Russell M. Nelson, “Faith in Jesus Christ,”
Liahona, Mar 2008, 24–30

Jesus Christ the Master Healer

Why did the Savior suffer for me?
He must know and love me so deeply!
My debt to Him is incalculably great.
For He bore my pains and sins, even hate!
What power was His to carry this load?
He our promise of a heavenly abode

When I've sore trials that I must bear,
I'll deepen my faith and trust He is there.
I know He can heal wounds and broken hearts.
That peace and comfort, His Spirit imparts.
His gift to each can't be destroyed by death.
For I know He grants me His living breath.

The Master Healer in perfect frame,
Gives resurrection to those once lame.
Am I not also in need of healing?
Thanks to Him, tender mercy I am feeling.
Thanks to Him, I've hope and bright days ahead.
As He heals me, with His water and bread.

[Verse 1]

Why did the Savior suffer for me?
He must know and love me so deeply!
My debt to Him is incalculably great.
For He bore all the world's sins, at Hells' gate!
What power was His to carry the load?
To lift all flesh to a heav'nly abode?

Chorus]

How deep, the love of Jesus

the Master Healer of us all

He suffered deeply for us

He conquered sin and death- His call

[Verse 2]

I have sore trials that I must bear,
They deepen my faith.  I feel His kind care.
I know He heals wounds and mends broken hearts.
That peace and comfort, His Spirit imparts.
His gift to each cannot be destroyed by death.
He offers to all, His life giving breath.

Chorus]

How deep, the love of Jesus

the Master Healer of us all

He suffered deeply for us

He conquered sin and death- His call

[Verse 3]
The Master Healer in perfect frame,
Gives resurrection to those once lame.
Am I not also in need of this healing?
Thanks to Him, I am not past feeling.
Thanks to Him, there are brighter days ahead.
As He heals me I am spiritually fed.

Chorus]

How deep, the love of Jesus

the Master Healer of us all

He suffered deeply for us

He conquered sin and death- His call

-Elder Russell M. Nelson- Jesus suffered deeply,
because He loves us deeply!

85, Nov 2005, Russell M. Nelson, “Jesus Christ—
the Master Healer, ” Ensign

Grief

Another wave of mourning
The grief, new tears blur my eyes
I hang on to the memories
Then... add thoughts of you, bright, in Heaven's skies