Being still and quiet
The brain gets a turn
Come on...let's try it
And study to learn
Saturday, July 31, 2010
It Was Always about Love
It was always about love
The way He lived, served, and taught
His it was to lead us home above
Through charity, He ransomed and bought
The way He lived, served, and taught
His it was to lead us home above
Through charity, He ransomed and bought
Thursday, July 29, 2010
A Man Planted a Garden
A man planted a garden
With a nice hedge round about
Then he went away far
And, to others, let it out
One day, he sent a servant
To receive the fruit there of
But he was badly beaten
With rocks hard and rough
To keep this property in tact
Again, he sent his best and humbled
Each in turn was attacked
With some killed as they were man handled
Having yet therefor one son
He sent him also the last
Who was the most welcome
For his inheritance
With whips they struck him bloody
Yet, no cries from him were heard
And then his lifeless body
Was cast out of the vineyard
The owner had no choice
He came himself... alone
These men he destroyed
And then he placed a stone
Representing the son, it had been rejected
By the renters as they'd framed
This chief cornerstone was resurrected
And a temple, in his name, was made
With a nice hedge round about
Then he went away far
And, to others, let it out
One day, he sent a servant
To receive the fruit there of
But he was badly beaten
With rocks hard and rough
To keep this property in tact
Again, he sent his best and humbled
Each in turn was attacked
With some killed as they were man handled
Having yet therefor one son
He sent him also the last
Who was the most welcome
For his inheritance
With whips they struck him bloody
Yet, no cries from him were heard
And then his lifeless body
Was cast out of the vineyard
The owner had no choice
He came himself... alone
These men he destroyed
And then he placed a stone
Representing the son, it had been rejected
By the renters as they'd framed
This chief cornerstone was resurrected
And a temple, in his name, was made
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Prayer: Insights from an LDS Mormon Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Imagine hearing the Lord
Saying your name as one adored
While speaking to Father of your needs
I did... and fell gratefully to my knees
With warmth and emotion I then cried
And offered what words I could find
Displaying my life and thoughts to discuss
I prayed to God, humbly, through Jesus
Truly thanking Him for all I have received
I thought of my sins and mournfully grieved
Wanting more to serve Him than any thing in life
I sought for love and sensed warmth and light
Determining to do better, I vowed to pray always
And nightly pursue the lessons of each day
Thus, linking the weeks, months, and years
As the things of the Spirit, to my mind, more appears
Elder David A. Bednar
Pray Always
Ensign, November 2008
click on title to go directly:
LDS.org - Ensign Article - Pray Always
`
Come See the Light Slideshow
The light of hope came
As a babe, as a man
A blessing to all...the same
As He visited this land
Let no one doubt-
By whom He was sent,
What His works were about,
And that He did descend
Many saw His hands,
And fell at His feet,
They heard Him pray,
And saw Him weep
He blessed children
The angels came
Earth and heaven
Were one the same
And... then He left
With His church formed
Covenants were kept
For two hundred years more!
Everyone in white
In the presence of the Lord
What an incredible sight
To be one so favored
O Holy Night - Kenneth Cope & Liz Lemon Swindle
To praise Him...the best arose
And merged their talents
In art, film, song, and prose
Their works became...transcendent
Pondering myself and why I write...
Daily- whenever I can
Many times late... or in dawn's light
As through an unseen hand
Then, I in ponder...
Asked...what would the Lord have me do?
A work of wonder?
No... I am but the weak...to learn anew
With yearnings deep
My emotions rise
When I would to leap
The Lord knows my cries!
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Embrace your holier nature and be social
Embrace your holier nature
Encourage...internalize
Grow spiritually in stature
See the world with purer eyes
thoughts from:
http://gentlyhewstone.wordpress.com/2008/04/16/vincent-van-gogh-john-donne-wh-auden-a-scholar-and-an-apostle-on-community/
click on above title to go directly and read of ones view of being social
"...this is the one that always sends shivers down my spine: “And that same sociality which exists among us here will exist among us there…” (D&C 130:2). I’m sure this is primarily an affirmation of the eternal nature of the sealed family unit, but can it be read more broadly? Can this verse be interpreted to imply that, even in the Celestial Kingdom, I’ll frequently be surrounded by weird people who want to talk my ear off?
I know, I shouldn’t be such a sourpuss, but that’s my natural inclination…so it’s just as well that we’re all here to overcome our lower natures and become more like God.
Truth be told, I’m grateful for all the people I’ve encountered in the Church (and I’m grateful for the insights that help me to be grateful for it!). People that my introverted inner critic would be inclined to ignore after the most perfunctory howdy-do have, as we’ve worked together over time, become honestly dear to me, adding to my stockpile of varied experiences, and helping me grow in directions that I never could if my worship were limited to some kind of isolated navel-gazing."
Encourage...internalize
Grow spiritually in stature
See the world with purer eyes
thoughts from:
http://gentlyhewstone.wordpress.com/2008/04/16/vincent-van-gogh-john-donne-wh-auden-a-scholar-and-an-apostle-on-community/
click on above title to go directly and read of ones view of being social
"...this is the one that always sends shivers down my spine: “And that same sociality which exists among us here will exist among us there…” (D&C 130:2). I’m sure this is primarily an affirmation of the eternal nature of the sealed family unit, but can it be read more broadly? Can this verse be interpreted to imply that, even in the Celestial Kingdom, I’ll frequently be surrounded by weird people who want to talk my ear off?
I know, I shouldn’t be such a sourpuss, but that’s my natural inclination…so it’s just as well that we’re all here to overcome our lower natures and become more like God.
Truth be told, I’m grateful for all the people I’ve encountered in the Church (and I’m grateful for the insights that help me to be grateful for it!). People that my introverted inner critic would be inclined to ignore after the most perfunctory howdy-do have, as we’ve worked together over time, become honestly dear to me, adding to my stockpile of varied experiences, and helping me grow in directions that I never could if my worship were limited to some kind of isolated navel-gazing."
The pioneer journey began
The pioneer journey began
Far in Western Europe
One place being Sweden
Where persecutions enveloped
In the middle of the night
So as not to alarm
They organized and baptized
While leaning on God's arm
With faith to rely on
They followed their church leaders
And planned to move to Zion
Selling all... they were eager
Preparing to immigrate
Funds from the church some sought
For the five month trip to make
Word of deaths... came a lot
Shipwrecks, seasickness,
Measles, cholera, and frostbite,
Starvation and dysentery...
Yet each knew their choice was right
373 Danes
128 Swedes
61 Norwegians
Crossed the rough Northern seas
It would be quite a squeeze
In England, there were more
10 nationalities
Two months later reached New York
Challenging their fears
An army lined the streets
Drumming for volunteers
Their hearts jumped with the beats
Passing the immigration process
Trains and boats were then boarded
Crossing the war-torn Missouri...they progressed
To Winter Quarters... these converts were sorted
With the rest of the journey by wagon
Many prepared themselves for walking
Sun... rain...prairies... mountains... waved on
There was no time for balking
From this moment ...
The past was left behind
Neither well-known, nor prominent
Faith was their wealth to find
With courage they made their way
Following the Mormon Trail
Imagine the joy of that day
When they'd reached Zion to dwell
These... our ancestors
Added well their footsteps
We treasure their records
And the hope that they kept
The Journey Before the Covered Wagons
A Western European Pioneer Story
Desert Saints Magazine, July 2010, 6
Leslie Albrecht Huber
picture: Public domain image of Kerrigan and Lois Wilson on set of the Covered Wagon from the western heroine archives. Silent film pictures are in the domain in the US and needed for article support and career commentary. Published before 1923
Monday, July 19, 2010
I Had a Little Sailboat
I had a little sailboat
It was new and blue
All day I liked to float
And look at the fish too
I put my goggles on
Where the water's deep
I took a look so long
I nearly fell asleep
Swaying to and fro
While they swam and ate
My camera caught the show
'Til it was dark and late
It was new and blue
All day I liked to float
And look at the fish too
I put my goggles on
Where the water's deep
I took a look so long
I nearly fell asleep
Swaying to and fro
While they swam and ate
My camera caught the show
'Til it was dark and late
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Mitt Romney "Faith in America" Speech part 1
Our inspired constitution was made
For moral and religious people
That they may each individually weigh
Their passions...and strengthen what's feeble
Together, freedoms and religion endows
That we might explore what faith uncovers
Having many freedoms opens up windows
That are meant for the soul to discover
Religious tolerance in America
Is highly regarded in this land of liberty
For its founding was a miracle
That government not become a single church's property
Following this grand tradition
A presidential candidate
Should be chosen by their positions,
Record, and agenda... let us not forget
Then let each man and church pray
As, also, the president
That this nation be led God's way
Along the path of His intent
Quoting John Adams: "We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion..."
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Virtue is the Golden Key
Virtue is the golden key
That unlocks the temple doors
Where one can glimpse eternity
And link to ancestors
Virtue comes of being chaste
And glowing with integrity
While seeking the love of God, there to taste
Inspiration sweet with purity
Leading the world in a return to virtue
Sister Dalton exhorts young adults to always be examples of purity
By Greg Hill
Church News staff writer
Published: Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009
click on above title to go to site
Friday, July 16, 2010
Our True Identity
The mother duck rested diligently on her eggs
Positioning them warmly beneath her legs
When they were hatched...one very much stood out
By far the darkest and ugliest fledgling without any doubt
Different, the other ducklings would not leave him alone
They punished him mercilessly...his worth left unknown
Saddened and thinking it best... he ran away
Living without hope of a brighter day
Then, on an afternoon that was warm, bright, and wonderful
He saw a sight flying high and beautiful
Above, in the formation of a majestic v
Was a flock of swans flapping towards the east
Spirited, for the first time, he raised his wings in flight
Following the flock... brilliant and white
There to land where the water was pure and clean
And in the reflection... his true identity was seen
A magnificent swan had come to appear
Till... a ripple expanded from a lone grateful tear
In wonder, he waited, completely in awe
When all was still, it was him that he saw!
Our creator, too, would that we know who we are
Where we are from and where we are going
May we all realize...lovingly, He is not far
And trust in His arms raised with mercy showing
May we then shut out what makes us low
And darkens us both within and without
That we might be spiritually set aglow
Bright and celestially endowed
Our True Identity
President Dieter F. Uctdorf
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Inside the Upper Chamber Room
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
None of Us Were Present
None of us were present to see the Red Sea part
Or cross with Israel between two walls of water
We were not there to hear the Sermon on the Mount
Or listen to our Savior speak to Heavenly Father
We did not see His agony in Gethsemene
Or hear two angels testify beside His tomb
But the scriptures can enlarge our memories
As we learn from the ancient multitudes
Our faith in God then plants deeper roots
As records penetrate both our minds and hearts
Thus, tutoring us even unto reproof
By the shedding of Light and the truth it imparts
Or cross with Israel between two walls of water
We were not there to hear the Sermon on the Mount
Or listen to our Savior speak to Heavenly Father
We did not see His agony in Gethsemene
Or hear two angels testify beside His tomb
But the scriptures can enlarge our memories
As we learn from the ancient multitudes
Our faith in God then plants deeper roots
As records penetrate both our minds and hearts
Thus, tutoring us even unto reproof
By the shedding of Light and the truth it imparts
We Hold in our Arms
We hold in our arms
The rising generation
And labor to disarm
Sin and distraction
As parents and teachers
We work to fan the flame
That spiritually embers
With premortal faith
The stories of Jesus
Are like a rushing wind
Lighting what's inside us
As His teachings embed
For He is the Way,
The Truth, and the Life
Flowing warmly always
Despite troubles and strife
He heals, calms, and feeds
As we seek to be prayerful
According to our needs...
Oh, may we be faithful
Our children will feel much
As we speak our Lord's name
Therein heaven will touch
Light and hope pure to reign
As sure and as certain
As the rising new sun
The heavens are but a curtain
Encircling us with love
Lest their courage grow faint
As to our children, trials try
Let us increase words of faith
And raise our sights ever high
Tell Me the Stories of Jesus
Elder Neil L. Andersen
Ensign, May 2010, 108
Monday, July 12, 2010
On October 16th- In the Year 1536
On October 16th
In the year 1536
A pitiful figure was led
To his lone sentence of death
Having been in a damp dark dungeon
For a year and a half with no sun
He was brought forth out of the castle
And hoisted to a post along the wall
Then, given a moment...he uttered aloud
A prayer that the bible, in English, be allowed
He having been blessed to know many languages
Had translated it from Greek and Roman pages
As a religious man, he was a devoted student
Who against clergy, dared to declare an argument
Ignorance... he'd stated was completely pervasive
So, he vowed to make the scriptures purely persuasive
That... each might turn to and read God's word often
As even a farmer could search and possess them
He, inspired with courage and determined faith,
Felt his calling to put man in control of his fate
This was perceived as a threat to the church of his time
As they were adamant he'd be casting pearls before swine
With hope that God above would open up the kings eyes
He was strangled and burned...doubly sure...and as a martyr he died
William Tyndale we thank you
And fully express our gratitude
May we, known as the common man
Take the scriptures unto our hands
And like the farmer of the plough field who searched much and prayed
May our questions and prayers to God, all the more, daily be raised
May we each feel the scriptures are our greatest treasure
A blessing to hold we cannot even begin to measure
The Blessing of Scripture
Elder D. Todd Christofferson
Ensign, May 2010, 32
The Bibles were smuggled into England, where they were in great demand and much prized by those who could get them. They were shared widely but in secret. The authorities burned all the copies they could find. Nevertheless, within three years of Tyndale’s death, God did indeed open King Henry VIII’s eyes, and with publication of what was called the “Great Bible,” the scriptures in English began to be publicly available. Tyndale’s work became the foundation for almost all future English translations of the Bible, most notably the King James Version.1
William Tyndale was not the first, nor the last, of those who in many countries and languages have sacrificed, even to the point of death, to bring the word of God out of obscurity. We owe them all a great debt of gratitude. We owe perhaps an even greater debt to those who faithfully recorded and preserved the word through the ages, often with painstaking labor and sacrifice—Moses, Isaiah, Abraham, John, Paul, Nephi, Mormon, Joseph Smith, and many others. What did they know about the importance of scriptures that we also need to know? What did people in 16th-century England, who paid enormous sums and ran grave personal risks for access to a Bible, understand that we should also understand?
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- Being Still and Quiet
- It Was Always about Love
- A Man Planted a Garden
- Prayer: Insights from an LDS Mormon Apostle of the...
- Come See the Light Slideshow
- O Holy Night - Kenneth Cope & Liz Lemon Swindle
- Embrace your holier nature and be social
- The pioneer journey began
- I Had a Little Sailboat
- Mitt Romney "Faith in America" Speech part 1
- Virtue is the Golden Key
- Our True Identity
- Inside the Upper Chamber Room
- None of Us Were Present
- We Hold in our Arms
- The Lord's Way
- On October 16th- In the Year 1536
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About Me
The Captain of the Soul- Invictus/ The Soul's Captain by Elder Orson F. Whitney
Invictus by William E. Henley
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance,
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
The Soul's Captain [The Answer]
by Elder Orson F. Whitney
of the Quorum of the Twelve
Art thou in truth? Then what of him
Who bought thee with his blood?
Who plunged into devouring seas
And snatched thee from the flood?
Who bore for all our fallen race
What none but him could bear.
The God who died that man might live,
And endless glory share?
Of what avail thy vaunted strength,
Apart from his vast might?
Pray that his Light may pierce the gloom,
That thou mayest see aright.
Men are as bubbles on the wave,
As leaves upon the tree.
Thou, captain of thy soul, forsooth
Who gave that place to thee?
Free will is thine — free agency
To wield for right or wrong;
But thou must answer unto him
To whom all souls belong.
Bend to the dust that head "unbowed,"
Small part of Life's great whole!
And see in him, and him alone,
The Captain of thy soul
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance,
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
The Soul's Captain [The Answer]
by Elder Orson F. Whitney
of the Quorum of the Twelve
Art thou in truth? Then what of him
Who bought thee with his blood?
Who plunged into devouring seas
And snatched thee from the flood?
Who bore for all our fallen race
What none but him could bear.
The God who died that man might live,
And endless glory share?
Of what avail thy vaunted strength,
Apart from his vast might?
Pray that his Light may pierce the gloom,
That thou mayest see aright.
Men are as bubbles on the wave,
As leaves upon the tree.
Thou, captain of thy soul, forsooth
Who gave that place to thee?
Free will is thine — free agency
To wield for right or wrong;
But thou must answer unto him
To whom all souls belong.
Bend to the dust that head "unbowed,"
Small part of Life's great whole!
And see in him, and him alone,
The Captain of thy soul
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 Mission
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 Mission
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
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 Countries Visited! June 2015
Global Statistics
Visits from 153 countries registered.
No. | Country | Date of Last Visit | Percent & 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 |