Burning Bright

 

These troubling times

Aren't going away

Don't be deceived

Signs are coming our way

Lovers of their own selves

Pride becomes commonplace

Human trafficking sells

Taking what you want ranks

Wickedness, floods

Turmoil, famines, disease

Earthquakes, fires, storms

Yet, with Christ there is peace

Be not troubled

Anticipate the day

When Christ returns

And death is done away

Prepare your heart

Keep oil in your lamp

The Bridegroom nears

In holy places, stand

And you will need to shine

burning bright

Your lamp, like a torch in the night

And raise it up high

Burning bright

Inspired from Preparing for the Second Coming by Tom Pettit

How would your life be different if you did not have your covenants?

Signs of the Second Coming 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygFzTMmtzXI&t=683s

Temporal signs- parallels with Book of Mormon found in Helaman 18

Satan is spreading rumors and contentions to harden hearts and stir up iniquity and contention. Plea for the gift of discernment. Sift through the garbage. Elect will be deceived because they can't identify the line between truth and error. Those who treasure up His words will not be deceived. 1 Nephi 13 hold to the rod

:29 plain and precious things 

Verse 1] These troubling times Aren't going away Don't be deceived Signs are coming our way Lovers of their own selves Pride becomes commonplace Human trafficking sells Taking what you want ranks Wickedness floods Turmoil, famines, disease Earthquakes, fires, storms Yet Christ gives peace to me [Pre-Chorus] Be not troubled Anticipate the day When Christ returns And death is done away Prepare your heart Keep oil in your lamp The Bridegroom nears In holy places, stand [Chorus] Burning bright Burning bright Your lamp in the night Burning bright Burning bright Raise it up high [Verse 2] When voices shake And fear calls your name Hold to the hope That never fades away I will not bow To the rush of the world I will keep watch Till the trumpet is heard [Pre-Chorus] Be not troubled Anticipate the day When Christ returns And death is done away Prepare your heart Keep oil in your lamp The Bridegroom nears In holy places, stand [Chorus] Burning bright Burning bright Your lamp in the night Burning bright Burning bright Raise it up high [Bridge] And you will need to shine Burning bright Through the fear and the smoke Burning bright And you will need to shine Burning bright Till the King is in sight Burning bright [Chorus] Burning bright Burning bright Your lamp in the night Burning bright Burning bright Raise it up high

  

Moral Agency School

 

With all the alternatives to choose among
We've moral agency for the right or wrong
With freedom of choice and accountability
We've knowledge to increase our sensibility

While God preserves us from day to day
There's laws to obey or disobey
And though many opinions and preferences numb
We can't change the consequences or a fixed outcome

While Satan promotes conduct that narrows our station
Our God does not intend that we yield to temptation
He's given us a Savior, and redemption is possible
If we come to Him, to be like Him, and be responsible

The glory of God is intelligence
With wisdom learned through obedience
When we receive truth it is full of light
Till line upon line we are made bright

Knowing these things is only the start
The test comes as we experience the dark
That we can become independently strong
To yield to the right and flee from the wrong

And that we might know true liberty
While we are here in mortality
We've been given God's resources in full
That we might pass moral agency school

Moral agency

Our gift from God

Use it wisely

Choose the right not the wrong

Be accountable

And repent oft

D. Todd Christofferson
BYU Devotional
31 January 2006
click on the title
to link to the talk

D&C 101: 78
That every man may act in doctrine and principle pertaining to futurity, according to the moral agency which I have given unto him, that every man may be accountable for his own sins in the day of judgment.

[Verse 1] With all the alternatives to choose among We've moral agency for the right or wrong With freedom of choice and accountability We've knowledge to increase our sensibility While God preserves us from day to day There's laws to obey or disobey And though many opinions and preferences numb We can't change the consequences or a fixed outcome [Pre-Chorus] While Satan promotes conduct that narrows our station Our God does not intend that we yield to temptation He's given us a Savior, and redemption is possible If we come to Him, to be like Him, and be responsible [Chorus] Moral agency Our gift from God Use it wisely Choose the right not the wrong Be accountable And repent oft Moral agency Our gift from God [Verse 2] The glory of God is intelligence With wisdom learned through obedience When we receive truth it is full of light Till line upon line we are made bright Knowing these things is only the start The test comes as we experience the dark That we can become independently strong To yield to the right and flee from the wrong [Pre-Chorus] And that we might know true liberty While we are here in mortality We've been given God's resources in full That we might pass moral agency school [Chorus] Moral agency Our gift from God Use it wisely Choose the right not the wrong Be accountable And repent oft Moral agency Our gift from God [Bridge] The test comes as we experience the dark That we can become independently strong To yield to the right and flee from the wrong And that we might know true liberty [Final Chorus] Moral agency Our gift from God Use it wisely Choose the right not the wrong Be accountable And repent oft Moral agency Our gift from God

The Heart of America- Mothers

At the heart of America

Are mothers who nurture

In the home love empowers all

To pursue their future

Wise, she knows her gift of time is a small price

Every cleaning, every story, every hug

Every blessed meal, is a selfless sacrifice

To build up souls, each labor speaks of love 

The quiet power of mothers

Is the strength of her faith

She builds courage in her sons and daughters

Life's trials they must face

The mother inspires each child

To pursue their talents within

To budget and manage their time

And to value all that God has given

Melania Trump has a quiet way of speaking in a way that we don't doubt of her strength- her faith.

[Verse 1] At the heart of America Are mothers who nurture In the home love empowers all To pursue their future Wise, she knows her gift of time Is a small price Every cleaning, every story, every hug Every blessed meal [Pre-Chorus] Is a selfless sacrifice To build up souls Each labor speaks of love The quiet power of mothers Is the strength of her faith [Chorus] The quiet power of mothers The quiet power of mothers She builds courage in her sons and daughters Life's trials they must face (quiet power of mothers) [Verse 2] The mother inspires each child To pursue their talents within To budget and manage their time And to value all that God has given When the day runs long and hard She stands and she stays A steady hand, a humble flame Guiding them always [Pre-Chorus] Is a selfless sacrifice To build up souls Each labor speaks of love The quiet power of mothers Is the strength of her faith [Chorus] The quiet power of mothers The quiet power of mothers She builds courage in her sons and daughters Life's trials they must face (quiet power of mothers) [Bridge] At the heart of America Her love keeps going Through every season, every loss Her grace keeps showing Wise, she knows her gift of time Still she gives it away And what she plants in little hearts Will bloom another day [Final Chorus] The quiet power of mothers The quiet power of mothers She builds courage in her sons and daughters Life's trials they must face The mother inspires each child To pursue their talents within (quiet power of mothers) And value all God has given

Perfect Suit for Your Next Quest

 

The perfect suit
For your next quest
Must hold much fruit
As you'll not rest

With armor thick
And pockets deep
The best fruit pick
Treasure and keep

The battle is on
The enemy won't wait
And you must stay strong
The sacrament's great!

You need increased armor today.
For new strength along the way.
You need the best fruit, that's pure!
You need bread and water for sure!

You need the best fruit

the Love of God

the Word of God

Carry it every where you go

fruit- love of God= Jesus, the Word
bread and water- atonement= Jesus
We need to have the Savior with us!

[Verse 1] The perfect suit For your next quest Must hold much fruit As you'll not rest With armor thick And pockets deep The best fruit pick Treasure and keep [Pre-Chorus] The battle is on The enemy won't wait And you must stay strong The sacrament's great! [Chorus] You need increased armor today (Armor today) For new strength along the way (Along the way) You need the best fruit, that's pure! (That's pure!) You need bread and water for sure! (For sure!) [Verse 2] You need the best fruit The Love of God The Word of God Carry it every where you go Hold it close Don't let it fade When the road gets rough It still keeps you saved [Pre-Chorus] The battle is on The enemy won't wait And you must stay strong The sacrament's great! [Chorus] You need increased armor today (Armor today) For new strength along the way (Along the way) You need the best fruit, that's pure! (That's pure!) You need bread and water for sure! (For sure!) [Bridge] Carry it every where you go When you're tired, let it show Love of God, Word of God Faith like steel, hands open wide [Final Chorus] You need increased armor today (Armor today) For new strength along the way (Along the way) You need the best fruit, that's pure! (That's pure!) You need bread and water for sure! (For sure!) You need the Love of God Word of God Carry it every where you go

Let Your Light Shine- Again- Today

 

A chink in our armor,

From a lapse in our faith

Harms us like no other

As darkness takes more space

Turn to our Savior, from death

And our Redeemer, from sin.

He is our Advocate, what debt!

His light strengthens us within!

Let your light shine again

That others may see

That which comes from heaven

goodness and purity

goodwill and charity

 Let your light shine today

Stand out as bright, clean, and uplifting 

Shine in how you dress, speak,
 treat your body
Let your light shine 

show how to lead AND have fun
When you compete, show how this is done

Be the light than shines in darkness

That others whose light has gone dim can see

He is “the light which shineth in darkness.”

Here is my outline notes from President Monson's October 2015, "The Center of Our Lives"

Sermon on the Mount: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”¹ 

How will they see it?

“Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”²

Be an example in:

1. in word and conversation, lift and inspire

          love and respect,
          clean language
          that doesn't wound or offend
          with tolerance and kindness
          Why? Your mind will be enlightened.

2. charity, “the pure love of Christ.”:

          brighten the lonely
          lift the discouraged

          bring hope to the hopeless

          strengthen to the weak

          help the sick

          assist those who can't walk

          give aid to the blind

          teach the deaf

          grieve with those who grieve

          visit those need
          Why? When you bless others, you feel love that renews.

3. spirit, have in our lives:

          kindness, 

          gratitude, 

          forgiveness,

          and goodwill.

These qualities will provide for us a spirit which will:

          touch the lives of those around us.

          help them feel the spirit

          cause them to want to be around you

          and follow your example out of appreciation.

          Why? You will feel a joy that lifts.

4.  faith, trust in the Lord and in His word.

          possess and nourish beliefs let them

                   guide thoughts

                   and actions.

                   influence all that we do.

          scriptures and prayer anchors us for

                   clarity of thought

                   and conscience

Why? You will walk in Christ's powerful light that can dispel darkness..

Said the Lord, “Search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good.”⁵

5.  purity: in body, mind, and spirit.

          the body is a temple, to be treated with

                   reverence

                   and respect.

          Our minds should be filled with

                   uplifting and ennobling thoughts and

                   kept free from those things which will pollute.

Why? Purity will bring us peace of mind and will qualify us to receive the Savior’s promises, said He, “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”⁶

As we do so, our light will shine for others to see.

1. For all have the Light of Christ.

2. When we have His light, we light the way for others.

As we prove to be examples in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, and in purity, we will qualify to be lights to the world.

          we will stand out as bright, clean, and uplifting in how we
                    dress
                   speak-
                   treat our bodies
                    have fun
                   compete
                    lead
                   do sports
                  
         

 As we make Christ the center of our lives,

our fears will be replaced by the courage of our convictions.

Life is perfect for none of us, and at times the challenges and difficulties we face may become overwhelming, causing our light to dim.

Pray for help from our Heavenly Father,

Seek the light and support of others,

Regain that light which illuminates your path once again and provide the light others may need.

 yours will be the glorious blessing of returning to live with Him forever.

: “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

[Verse 1] A chink in our armor, From a lapse in our faith Harms us like no other As darkness takes more space Turn to our Savior, from death And our Redeemer, from sin He is our Advocate, what debt! His light strengthens us within! [Pre-Chorus] Let your light shine again That others may see That which comes from heaven goodness and purity [Chorus] Let your light shine today Let your light shine today Stand out as bright Clean and uplifting Let your light shine today (shine today) [Verse 2] Shine in how you dress, speak, treat your body Let your light shine show how to lead AND have fun When you compete, show how this is done Be the light than shines in darkness That others whose light has gone dim can see [Pre-Chorus] Let your light shine again That others may see That which comes from heaven goodwill and charity [Chorus] Let your light shine today Let your light shine today Stand out as bright Clean and uplifting Let your light shine today (shine today) [Bridge] From the shadow to the open From the empty to the full We can walk with grace and courage We can live what heaven pulled Let your light shine again Let it reach the darkest places Let your light shine today Until hope is on their faces [Chorus] Let your light shine today Let your light shine today Stand out as bright Clean and uplifting Let your light shine today (shine today)

Worth of a Soul

 

Through persistence and craft
The burglars worked the vault
An explosion... the door cracked
But...what they saw made them halt

An inner stronger door...
More dense than the first
Which their tools could not score
As they left...how they cursed

Compare this to our lives
And the value of our souls
Satan would to prize
And seeks to grasp a hold

The outer door... our good name
Can be marred...ever mortal
Righteousness forever the aim
Integrity guards the inner portal

integrity-
moral soundness
an unreduced or unbroken completeness or totality

James E. Talmage
The Parable of the Treasure Vault
NewEra, Feb 2010, 12–13 (click on the above title to go to site)

Remember the worth of a soul

Is priceless and must be kept safe*
Having it impregnable should be our goal
On a path righteously straight

How does one develop such character
To be fortified from Satan's attack
Faith in the Lord our benefactor
Strengthens us for every impact

Faith guides us to make correct choices
As we're learning to become more consistent
Gaining capacity to heed what the Spirit voices
Conquering tests...trusting...faithfully persistent

A widening cycle of strength
Only we can break through disobedience
There to think intently and at length
Upon our goals, the Lord, and expedience

(*James E. Talmage) "What is the worth of a soul?
It’s priceless and must be kept safe."*

Elder Richard G. Scott
The Sustaining Power of Faith in Times of Uncertainty and Testing
Ensign, May 2003, 77

Moro. 10: 23.
And Christ truly said unto our fathers: If ye have faith ye can do all things which are expedient unto me.
expedience...the quality of being suited to the end in view

[Verse 1] Through persistence and craft the burglars worked the vault An explosion split the quiet and the door finally cracked But what they saw made them halt an inner stronger door More dense than the first their tools could not score As they left, how they cursed empty-handed in the night [Pre-Chorus] Compare this to our lives and the value of our souls Satan seeks to prize and reach for what he knows The outer door, our good name can be marred and ever mortal But righteousness stays the aim integrity guards the inner portal [Chorus] Remember the worth of a soul Is priceless and must be kept safe Having it impregnable Should be our goal On a path righteously straight Remember the worth of a soul Is priceless and must be kept safe Having it impregnable Should be our goal On a path righteously straight [Verse 2] How does one develop such character and grace? To be fortified from Satan's attack and chase Faith in the Lord our benefactor strengthens us for every impact Faith guides us to choose what matters and keeps our footing intact As we're learning to become consistent we gain the strength to heed What the Spirit voices and trust Him in the lead [Pre-Chorus] Conquering tests, trusting faithfully persistent A widening cycle of strength can grow from resistance Only we can break through disobedience and delay To think intently and at length on the Lord and the better way [Chorus] Remember the worth of a soul Is priceless and must be kept safe Having it impregnable Should be our goal On a path righteously straight Remember the worth of a soul Is priceless and must be kept safe Having it impregnable Should be our goal On a path righteously straight [Bridge] Build me from the inside where the hand can't see Make my heart more sturdy make my spirit free When the world comes testing let my choices stand Firm like that inner door held safe by Your hand [Final Chorus] Remember the worth of a soul Is priceless and must be kept safe Having it impregnable Should be our goal On a path righteously straight Remember the worth of a soul Is priceless and must be kept safe Having it impregnable Should be our goal On a path righteously straight

Keep His Light

 

[Verse 1]

How do you enter a room As a person of faith? But with the armor of God For your spiritual strength! Like one sworn to protect Clearing each room as they go, Check your heart and inspect Does your light within still glow? [Pre-Chorus] You have been here before But does it still stand true? The Spirit of the Lord When present helps anew [Chorus] Keep His Light with you Keep His Light with you Where ever you go Keep His Light with you [Verse 2] Darkness can grow In the corners of the mind So I lift up my eyes And I leave it behind When the shadows press in I remember what is true I am covered, I am kept And I walk right through [Pre-Chorus] You have been here before But does it still stand true? The Spirit of the Lord When present helps anew [Chorus] Keep His Light with you Keep His Light with you Where ever you go Keep His Light with you [Bridge] When the room feels cold And your courage feels thin Let His presence move in Let His peace rush in Not by fear, not by sight But by grace, day by day I will stand in the light I will follow His way [Chorus] Keep His Light with you Keep His Light with you Where ever you go Keep His Light with you