Holy Cup

 

Thy house of prayer
Is a holy place
With Thee to share
And our sins erase

We offer up
On Thy holy day
The sacred cup
And bread to partake

The prayers spoken
Reach our humble hearts
That are broken
For what light imparts

The tables laid
Thy conferred will speak
The shepherd's paid
That we might be meek

He, the I am
Who perfectly taught
Was as a lamb
The firstling of flock

He felt our sins,
Sweat in our sorrows
And He did win
For us tomorrows

His slaughter worn
Through pure hands and feet
Midst pain lone borne
Nailed on a thieves tree

Here in is grace
And truth fully seen
The human race
Can now be made clean

Here we accept
Our Lord's sacrifice
Though we're inept
To know the high price

His offering
Gives us His great name
His suffering
Shields us from sin's blame

We of His sheep
Still remember Him
For His watch keep
We offer each hymn

Here we rejoice
For we have His name
We know His voice
Through doctrine's we've gained

We eat and drink
Ever love does fill
Less we now shrink
We seek for Thy will

Our wounds, He heals
And ever they're lifted
Our pain, He feels
How we've been gifted!

Ever once more
We've covenants remade
Through our Savior
Thy path, Thou has laid

As though from food
The sacrament soothes
From soul to foot
How the spirit moves!

Heavenly Father,
Perfect love, Thou sent
As living water
We drink of what's lent

How can Thy Son
Remember us still?
Our lives, He won
Of this, we do thrill!

Heavenly Father,
For mercy, we plead
Thou, the author
Knows best of our needs

Wilt Thou bless us
With hope, for these days?
Brightened by trust
Of Thy tender ways

L. Tom Perry
As Now We Take the Sacrament
Ensign, May 2009

Dusty Feet- When a Life Slips Away

 

A life slips away
Unto a new day
A veil theirs to cross
For progress to gain

After dusty feet have finished their course
Facing rocky trails and past remorse
There’s a time for good-byes to all that's earthly
Leaving loved ones to remember what used to be
Imagine, there, the glory with spiritual eyes to see

When a life slips away, greatly, we feel the loss
As one journeys unto everlasting trails to cross

After all the trials of faith in this life
Having gained courageous attitudes to overcame strife
There is a time to accept God's will to be done
Unto hope in a light brighter than noon day's sun
Even, Jesus Christ, the victorious and glorious one!

As when a life slips away, the heavens gain from earth's loss
On a journey trailed with grace... the atonement's cost

After pain has stilled there is joy in sounds
As, with love, flowers are placed upon the grounds
There to ponder God's tender love and mercy
What blessing it is to have eternal love's reality
Ever, we've the Son, who knows us and our journey

That when a life slips away though we mourn from the loss
We've hope for what lies beyond the veil... which we too will cross

click on title to go to free domain site for image

Uncut Stone Rolls

 

Heeding the Lord's invitation
Blesses us in glorious ways
As He guides us through revelation
Restored for these the latter-days

Deepen your conversion where you station
And learn to preach the gospel well
The uncut stone rolls to reach each nation
With the good news that is ours to tell

You will go to a foreign land

And preach to those being prepared

You may have uncertainty and doubt

Just trust you have a message to share

Be not afraid, only believe
There is a path for you to take
Invite light, the darkness will leave
As you heed the Lord and partake

'Be not afraid, only believe'

Seventy shares experiences, encourages BYU-H students

By Marianne Holman

Published: Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013 Elder Garrit W. Gong of the Seventy and Asia Area president

"There are many ways and many reasons we feel uncertainty, doubt, or fear, or are lonely or afraid," Elder Gong said. "But each is an opportunity to grow: fear and faith do not exist at the same time, just as light and darkness do not. Believe our Lord Jesus Christ: Be not afraid, only believe."

Keep Going Keep Listening

Douglas Buck "I have learned that stretching of the soul makes us humble. I prayed for patience and am learning to wait. I prayed for faith and am given weakness and obstacles to overcome. I prayed for hope and am given a dark and dreary waste to pass through. But beside me is an iron rod. I'm trying to keep my head up and strengthen my faith in Christ, yet I often feel that debilitating despair at times. Thank you for the reminder and bearing your testimony."

  There’s a stretching of the soul 

When life becomes hard

 And perhaps the end goal 

Our pride to discard 

 There, to pray, solely for relief 

To hold the head up 

Nearly drowning, searching for belief 

A sign from God, love 

 There pray for more faith, to endure 

And before my face

 I see obstacles in my way 

In a dark dreary waste 

 I pray for new strength to pass through 

And there is a rod 

It is something to hold on to 

To the love of God 

 I pray for patience to press on 

And hope fills my heart 

As long as I hold on I can’t go wrong 

I must do my part 

Hoping for what’s ahead keeps me strong

 And I hear God beckoning me along 

 Keep going

 Keep listening 

Faith’s growing 

Love’s entering 

 Keep going 

Keep listening 

Faith’s growing 

Love’s entering

Wrapped in Forgiveness

Imagine having unpaid tennants
Damaging your precious home
That is us without repentance
For Satan moves in to ravage what's owned

The greatest thing we possess
Is our ability to choose
And satan hopes we'll not notice
That when we sin there's so much we lose

 Imagine having unpaid tennants Damaging your precious home

That is us without repentance

For Satan moves in to ravage what's owned

The greatest thing we possess

Is our ability to choose

And satan hopes we'll not notice

That when we sin there's so much we lose 

The invitation to repent

Is rarely for chastisement

But a plea to turn a life around

Where open loving arms are found

Imagine the Lord's merciful embrace

Warmly encircling, holy, and safe

His loving arms ever out stretched and open

Offering a higher way of life to hope in

Those living riotously can change and begin

To be spiritually wrapped in forgiveness within

No matter how selfish, how forsaken the sin

Our Savior is eager that we be forgiven

Who'd not run against the wind and even swim upstream

To come unto Christ where the gospel fruit is then seen

Thus, He who humbly submits and asks for the Father's will

Can know, feel, and find a peace that's sweetly still

Since repentance is a journey, not a one-time event

We petition daily and weekly partake of the sacrament

There to check on our progress as though on a mountain peak

Where we can see life more clearly through the spirit that we seek

Oft still to the repentant, Godly sorrow remains

To remind us never again to do what truly pains

Ever as we're laboring against the devil's tightening bands

We can find Him who has graven us in the palms of His hands

Repentance always means brighter days lie ahead

Midst a residue of past mistakes filtering in our head

Forsaking our sins requires restoration and time

Unto the healing peace of conscience as the anguish subsides

Let us take counsel and in good works be about

Putting off the natural man who would that we doubt

Let us be unselfish, honest, and more pure

Being patient and kind that our spirituality endure

Let us ever hear the bidding of our Lord calling our name

And pray that each in our family will in deed do the same

Ever we may know our Savior infinitely understands

And reaches out to us offering His sure healing hands 

Repent... That I May Heal You
Elder Neil L. Andersen
November Ensign, 2009, 40

Clean From Within

President Oaks reminded us to love one another, even our enemies. Enemies= those who actively oppose us. There is so much he said.  Please watch. It inspired this poem.

 [Verse 1]

Pray. For how toxic it is To have hate in your heart! Be cleansed from within That understanding impart, And blessings on your enemy start [Pre-Chorus] Love one another Even as Jesus would [Chorus] Love, like no other He showed, with gratitude (With gratitude) He taught us how love is good He taught us how love is good [Verse 2] Pray. For how toxic it is To have hate in your heart! Be cleansed from within That understanding impart, And blessings on your enemy start [Pre-Chorus] Love one another Even as Jesus would [Chorus] Love, like no other He showed, with gratitude (With gratitude) He taught us how love is good He taught us how love is good [Bridge] Start the healing now Let mercy lead the way Let every bitter wound Turn soft beneath Your grace Bless the one who hurt you And watch the shadows move Love one another That is what He taught us to do [Chorus] Love, like no other He showed, with gratitude (With gratitude) He taught us how love is good He taught us how love is good

God Bless You on Your New Journey

 What a beautiful reminder. When we dedicate our talents to the Lord, we are never truly lost; we find our home in His gospel and our strength in the fellowship of the Saints.

To take His name upon us is both a sacred blessing and a divine promise. May you always feel the windows of heaven opening as you walk in faith. God bless you.

When you have been baptized

And have received that holy gift

You can always remember who you are

If, from your covenants, you don't drift

As you take His name upon you

God's sacred blessing is received anew

The divine promise of Christ's Spirit

To light you on the covenant path of truth

in the gospel, we can always find our home

This is more true as we're stretched and called to move

A supportive fellowship of Saints await

To assist as we're tested, polished and proved

Always, rededicate your talents

To the Lord, and your newly found ward

Accept callings, find your purpose

There, in newness to press forward

Give your talents to the Lord

Yes, dedicate them to Him

Then you will never truly feel lost

With Christ's Spirit within

May you always walk in faith

And feel the windows of heaven open

May you feel supportive strength

As you use your talents and grow them

With your faith and your talents

You will always find a home.

To the Saints blessings descend.

By His name you are known!

I was deeply touched that President Uchtdorf counseled some BYU Hawaii students- one on one. This is where this song began. I have desperately need to not feel lost. I was lost in KMart as a young child and it has left me with a quick panic when I am lost. I remember when I was going to receive my patriarchal blessing, I told him I wanted to know who I truly was. I grew up on the same street (one move across the street) and it is funny that I feel this way. 10 moves later plus many ward reorganizations, here I am ever hopeful this move is the last. No guarantees! And, my calling? the nursery! My comfort zone!

I think of

Henry B. Eyring: ‘Proved and Strengthened in Christ’

‘If we trust Him, He will make our spiritual power equal to every trial we are called to bear’ https://www.thechurchnews.com/general-conference/2025/10/05/elder-eyring-october-2025-general-conference-proved-strengthened-in-christ/

The Family is the Building Block of Society

 

The family is the building block of society
It is a nursery and a school to learn propriety
Also, it is a hospital and a leisure center
Offering a place of refuge and rest for those who enter

What can be done to save the family?
But return to the traditons of the past
Content with very little, they lived scantily
Of such their prayers of gratitude to God were cast


The family is a nursery and a school
A building block for the golden rule
It is a refuge, a place of rest
And it is where society finds the best

Margaret Thatcher, when she was prime minister of Great Britain, expressed this profound philosophy: “The family is the building block of society. It is a nursery, a school, a hospital, a leisure centre, a place of refuge and a place of rest. It encompasses the whole of the society. It fashions our beliefs; it is the preparation for the rest of our life.” In Nicholas Wood, “Thatcher Champions the Family,” The Times, May 26, 1988, 24.

photo-work provided by Chris Collins of the Margaret Thatcher Foundation

Verse 1] The family is the building block of society It is a nursery and a school to learn propriety Also, it is a hospital and a leisure center Offering a place of refuge and rest for those who enter [Pre-Chorus] What can be done to save the family? But return to the traditions of the past Content with very little, they lived scantily Of such their prayers of gratitude to God were cast [Chorus] The family is a nursery and a school A building block for the golden rule It is a refuge, a place of rest And it is where society finds the best The family is a nursery and a school A building block for the golden rule It is a refuge, a place of rest And it is where society finds the best [Verse 2] When the table was small, the love was wide Hands were folded low and the tears were dried Children learned truth at a steady knee And mercy grew like fruit on a tree The door stayed open for the weary night A simple home made broken hearts right Not much to hold, but enough to share A little bread, a little prayer [Pre-Chorus] What can be done to save the family? But return to the traditions of the past Content with very little, they lived scantily Of such their prayers of gratitude to God were cast [Chorus] The family is a nursery and a school A building block for the golden rule It is a refuge, a place of rest And it is where society finds the best The family is a nursery and a school A building block for the golden rule It is a refuge, a place of rest And it is where society finds the best [Bridge] Bring back the hearth and the patient voice Bring back the love that can still rejoice Teach the young the way to stand With grateful hearts and open hands [Final Chorus] The family is a nursery and a school A building block for the golden rule It is a refuge, a place of rest And it is where society finds the best The family is a nursery and a school A building block for the golden rule It is a refuge, a place of rest And it is where society finds the best

Grace to You

 

Grace to you...and peace
Come of the Father and the Son
May their love in you increase
And warm you as the sun

Whether we meet again here

Or in the next life

Grace to you and peace

In love and in Light

Act in a way

That aligns you with faith

In all you say

Preach that God is your strength

Fill your interactions

With forgiveness and love

With reconciliation

From hatred rise above

I love the love I feel reading this:

thoughts from Philemon

Modeling Love as a Family of Faiths

 

We make the world a better place

Where citizens can flourish

When we enjoy religious faith

And fill our spirits, nourished

With love, always encouraged

Knowing what it does for me😊

And my fellow Saints in Christ ❤

I wish for all that dignity

Of gathering where it feels right ✅️

For this goal, may we more unite:

...modeling love that grows in light

Let's not talk at, but to each other

Seeing the good and listening well

As a family of faiths, sisters and brothers

That but more, the love of God can swell

I love when Elder Nash said "talk to each other, not at each other!"

Elder Marcus B. Nash of the Presidency of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints told hundreds of global faith leaders gathered in Washington, D.C., on Monday, February 2, 2026, that protecting religious freedom will help nations flourish. 

“There’s a mountain of evidence that shows the power of religious freedom in building families, communities and nations,” Elder Nash told hundreds of faith leaders attending the International Religious Freedom (IRF) Summit during a Church-sponsored luncheon. He also joined a panel discussion led by Baptist pastor Bob Roberts Jr. of the Multi-Faith Neighbors Network, which was held on stage at the Global Faith Forum. 

More than 90 organizations representing 30 faith traditions gathered at the Washington Hilton for the two-day annual event to discuss how to advance international religious freedom. Learn more at Newsroom.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

https://youtu.be/hO7gE7xQtLA?si=TK0bpyBaRcjfwS1U

[Verse 1] We make the world a better place Where citizens can flourish When we enjoy religious faith And fill our spirits, nourished With love, always encouraged Knowing what it does for me And my fellow Saints in Christ I wish for all that dignity [Pre-Chorus] Of gathering where it feels right For this goal, may we more unite Let's not talk at, but to each other Seeing the good and listening well [Chorus] Modeling love that grows in light Modeling love that grows in light As a family of faiths We rise and hold it right Modeling love that grows in light [Verse 2] Sisters and brothers side by side Different prayers, one table Hands that open, hearts that stay Kindness made more stable What I give returns to me In a blessing I can feel Every soul deserves that peace Every wound deserves to heal [Pre-Chorus] Of gathering where it feels right For this goal, may we more unite Let's not talk at, but to each other Seeing the good and listening well [Chorus] Modeling love that grows in light Modeling love that grows in light As a family of faiths We rise and hold it right Modeling love that grows in light [Bridge] That but more, the love of God can swell In the room, in the living well When we choose to bless instead of bruise We make a holy path for you [Final Chorus] Modeling love that grows in light Modeling love that grows in light As a family of faiths We rise and hold it right Modeling love that grows in light

The Case of Religious Freedom

 “The Case of Religious Freedom”

Religious freedom
Is an universal right
All being of God's kingdom
We are in need of His light

Hope, purpose, compassion
Aspirations, and motives
Bloom beautifully with passion
When we're in the light that God gives

https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/case-religious-freedom

Earlier this month in Rome, Harvard professor Mary Ann Glendon made a bold case for religious freedom, saying it “goes to the very heart of what it means to be human.”

Professor Glendon was speaking at an international conference titled “Universal Rights in a World of Diversity: The Case for Religious Freedom.” It is a “universal right” precisely because religious freedom is so central to being human and to sustaining free and just societies.

[Verse 1] Religious freedom Is an universal right All being of God's kingdom We are in need of His light Hope, purpose, compassion In the morning of our souls You meet us in the silence And You make the broken whole [Pre-Chorus] When the shadows start to gather When our hands are tired and small You are calling us together You are Lord above it all [Chorus] Religious freedom Let it rise, let it rise Religious freedom In the light of God Religious freedom We stand side by side When we're in the light That God gives [Verse 2] Aspirations, and motives Bloom beautifully with passion When mercy meets our footsteps We move with holy action Teach us how to listen Teach us how to stay and see Every heart is precious Every soul can be made free [Pre-Chorus] When the shadows start to gather When our hands are tired and small You are calling us together You are Lord above it all [Chorus] Religious freedom Let it rise, let it rise Religious freedom In the light of God Religious freedom We stand side by side When we're in the light That God gives [Bridge] Bring Your peace to every table Bring Your justice to the land Let the weary find a home here Let the hurting understand One house, one hope, one Savior One flame we cannot hide We belong to one another In the light that God provides [Chorus] Religious freedom Let it rise, let it rise Religious freedom In the light of God Religious freedom We stand side by side When we're in the light That God gives [Outro] When we're in the light That God gives

Flooding the Earth with the Book of Mormon

 

The Book of Mormon is the instrument
Designed by God to sweep all of the earth.
With a flood to gather out His elect
This sacred volume moves His gospel work

We need to daily read from these scriptures
It should be central in all that we preach
And not just when it rotates every four years
To learn of Jesus of whom it does teach

This Book will help man get nearer to God
If we'd learn and abide by its precepts
We testify as we hold to the rod
Never doubting a far reaching effect

The Book of Mormon is the mind of God
Here He voices to all men of His will
We must arouse men's interest and awe
It answers questions with a voice that's still

May we display it at home and at work
And display its quotes and scenes on our walls
As we hold to the rod, let no man shirk
To witness, every member has been called

I have a vision of homes alerted
Of classes alive and pulpits aflame
As the characters are richly painted
So too artists will depict the themes named

I have a vision of missionaries
Who take many passages they've memorized
Into a world that desperately needs it
As God lifts what condemnation's denied

-Ezra Taft Benson

https://x.com/PeacemakingSt/status/2049191439062720932?s=20

Doorway of Love

 

Sins never tire
They ever cross the wires
Shades of Sodom...
The dregs at the bottom
Has Pandora
Yet glimpsed at Gomorrah?
Our wicked world
Screams loud and insults hurl
Each sordid fact
Exposes evil stacked
They've Light so dim
From all their sins within

Must we suffer
The twin cities' fate here
Where ill is bred
Without balm in Gilead?
Are there lovers
Of God or of pleasures?
From old Noah
Were great lessons not taught?
This time it's sin
That the world's flooded in
And what does reign?
Unholiness and pain

Where's the doorway?
Hurry, find it I pray
Where the Lord stands
Waiting with knocking hands
Written above
Reads: The Doorway of Love
It's on high ground
That our dear Savior's found
And as you near
There's echoes you can hear
"Open the door
You are, who I knock for "

Love causes change
As our lives rearrange
Love has its price
It requires we're nice
And God loves us
So He gave us Jesus
The great teacher
To love one another
He also taught
Of higher laws of thought
To understand
where love can best expand

Love's not like weeds
That spreads from wind and seeds
Love's not like rain
Dripping where e'er it came
Love can perish
When it is not cherished
So, we have Christ
Who has paid a high price
He loves each one
For us, His work was done
For each person
He bore sin's hard ransom

Little children
Can learn the Lord's lesson
"If you love me
Do as I'm commanding
As I love you
Now, love each other too"
Where's our haven?
Our safe place to live in?
It's where honor
And loving symbols are
Where contention
Has no place to station

God's found in love
As blessings from above
Where there's virtue
His love resides there, too
It's apparent
We've premortal parents
Heav'nly Father
And our Heav'nly Mother
And when love's gone
The sobbings of those wronged
Ascend up high
Against those who've shown pride

Our happiness
Hinges on righteousness
The path to joy
Comes to each girl and boy
With faithfulness
We'll press on t'wards fullness
Let there be peace
May it begin with me
A soft pillow
Helps those whose lives are low
This we'll not know
Unless our hearts do grow

Vagrants asleep
Are in need of watch keep
What can be done
In the name of the Son?
To those hungry
May our compassion be
A sparrow falls
The Savior hears its calls
He sees service
He knows concern's purpose
All love imparts
Catalysts for big hearts

Those who show care
Are often more aware
That violence
Does not cry of strength
Yet, compassion
Cries with Christ-like passion
What's of value?
Our last gifts of adieu?
This mom's locked box
T'would only hold small rocks
As she'd nothing
Why bother opening...

As though treasure
Photos of past pleasure
A young couple's
Sealing date ink bejeweled
And last inside
A child's note, "I love you"
Hearts were tender
Voices soft, eyes moister
Louis's note
A Valentines he'd wrote.
A locked box viewed
With a new attitude

We see Christ's love
Reflected in true love
At Christmas time
One finds people are kind
You can hear it
As you believe in it
You can see it
And anticipate it
You can feel it
As you grandly share it
It's yours to own
But, never just alone

Twas years ago
A class was troubled so
What could be done?
The solution, but one
The problem child
With love, must become mild
She confessed
She asked him, and was blessed
And now the boy
Became her greatest joy
And, aged, she still knew him
Through her gaze became blank and dim

In her nineties
She'd not eat... her fork teased
She knew no one
And not a word she spoke
When lunch ended
And... the words one-sided
He stood to leave
And you would not believe
He said "God Bless "
And she- "Why you're Thomas!"
She kissed his hand
Love... passed the aging sand

"How I love you,"
She said. There were tears, too-
On hands bestowed.
Now, those hands were hallowed
The air was cool
Outside the sky was blue
An azure blue
The snow was white
A crystal white
The words of the Master
Were felt deeper
"Woman, behold thy son!"
As she'd beheld this one

A wondrous gift
Graced by God was given
Heavenly blessings
Were there for receiving
At a doorway
Patiently, He'll await
Till... us He hears
And with love... Christ enters
Through a doorway
That's opened... with our faith
Through a doorway
Of love... where all is okay

This poem is best understood
if read after reading Monson's talk
Thomas S. Monson
The Doorway of Love
Ensign, Oct 1996, 2

Out of the Mouth of Babes

 

Calling out the gold

In a family setting

Can never grow old...

Worth? We are not forgetting!

Even as a church family....

In a classroom...

The work place...

We all need to to look for the gems in others!

then out of the mouth

of God's little ones

comes words that astound 

From where do these words come?

They so fresh from Heaven

Perhaps still carry some light

To the innocent given

to give us some insight

Great video!

https://youtube.com/shorts/Kuv_XdbOpcI?si=PD0FND-f2L6NRTlb

The Prayer Doesn't End at Amen

 

Pour out your whole heart, 

Fully, in prayer to God

Asking His answer to impart

Give Him all you've got

When you say, "Amen."

Prayers are not done

Yes, in the right time

Answers will come

You can't tell God 

How and when

Keep praying 

Yes, often

Always be ready

It will wash over you

And flood you with love

For strength. You know anew

Feeling His Spirit 

Is a bright gift from Him

You pray.  He hears it

And sends love from Heaven

I don't know why, but I love to see the shape of poems.  This one is beautiful!

https://youtube.com/shorts/5FRk70e-xsY?si=DkHvRqAqTlv8-Kno

Elder D. Todd Christofferson speaks about praying in the Sacred Grove and waiting for an answer. It wasn't until later that his prayer was answered. He says he learned to always be ready for an answer to a prayer. I love that he said it flooded over him. Feeling the Spirit is Heaven's gift to us. It is so filled with love!  ❤️ 

Remember and Perish Not

 

There are diverse places that I must walk.
Consistently and continually, in prayer, I talk.
I have been called to action in deed and in thought.

With His Spirit, I'll remember and perish not.
I pray to drink oft from His gospel reservoir.
And to be led, for there's great battles in store.

Oh, may I remember, in the way God intends.
That I might abide in His Light that He lends.
Oh, may I have a contrite spirit and a broken heart.
Of the calls He extends to me, I want to do my part

The first vision, I commit to memory.
For, thus began all of church history,
Joseph saw a pillar of light holy and bright.
He saw two personages, oh a heavenly sight.
He heard the Father say, “This is my Beloved Son.”
This stirs my soul to commitment, "Thy will to be done"

Oh may I remember how oft God lights my mind.
So often it's through service, the answers I find.
Oh, may my heart be pure to endure to the end.
Of all that He commands, I know love is pride's cure 

Oh, may I remember, in the way God intends.

He is the great revealer and He is my best friend

Oh may I remember how oft God lights my mind.

He is the greatest blessing on earth for man to find

- Marlin K. Jensen

Marlin K. Jensen, May 2007, “Remember and Perish Not, ” Ensign
Mosiah 4: 30
30 But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish. And now, O man, remember, and perish not.

You Will Always Find a Home

With your faith and your talents

You will always find a home.
To the Saints, blessings descend. 

By His name, you are known!

I love that President Uchtdorf said this to a student at BYU Hawaii.  University life is stressful.  Having encouragement to press on and hope for the future coming from an apostle - that must have felt amazing.

Peacemaking

Saints being peacemakers in Youtube comments:

A beautiful thing happens when we communicate 

In a loving and caring way. 

The spirit is present for sharing and helping 

Us to know what to do and say. 

and when someone says you can't trust the white shirts and smiles and nice temples: 

Behind the white shirts and smiles 

There is friendship and love. 

And inside of the temple 

Is holiness come from above.

What a celebration in Hawaii!  I love seeing an apostle out visiting Saints around the world. One of the comments in a post inspired this poem.  Not in the way you would think, the person was upset about the church. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kLGTYxnpTk

Orienting Ourselves to Christ

If only I had eyes that

Could see as Christ sees

to then love my fellow man

even my enemies

If only my poor heart felt

The forgiveness He lent

 All those with hatred who delt

Judgment and punishment 

If only my ears could hear

The hurt that He hears

When enemies near

Their troubles behind the sneers

If only I could sense some

Of what our Savior does

Like Him I want to become

Because of how He loves us

I can train my eyes 

More upon His Word

Discern truth from lies

Through His message heard

I can much better sense 

What He would have me do

Through prayer, that's consistent

For He fills me with His love,  too

I can much better love

Even my enemies

When I want to shout, "Enough!"

I can use words of peace

how inspiring:

President Dallin H. Oaks speaks of loving our enemies in this video:

https://x.com/WhrRenFernGrows/status/2048497384880210090?s=20

The Need to Read the Scriptures

 

The need to read the scriptures

Surpasses everything

For light and truth then enters

God's love is nourishing!

The lessons are not ancient

They are needed for our day

To listening ears grown patient

Each message now awaits

The path they pave is narrow

By Christ made straight and true

May it, like a pure arrow,

Prick your heart to feel anew!

May faith abound as you read

May repentance be your call

What light and truth do you need?

God knows the great or small!

Priority

Posted: 17 Jan 2015 09:00 AM PST

"Don't yield to Satan's lie that you don't have time to study the scriptures. Choose to take time to study them. Feasting on the word of God each day is more important than sleep, school, work, television shows, video games, or social media. You may need to reorganize your priorities to provide time for the study of the word of God. If so, do it!"

—Richard G. Scott, "Make the Exercise of Faith Your First Priority"
Topics: Improvement

chorus

A righteous life that's consistent

Can be permanently resistant

To the eroding influence of sin

As power and strength builds within

The Transforming Power of Faith and Character

"A consistent, righteous life produces an inner power and strength that can be permanently resistant to the eroding influence of sin and transgression."

—Richard G. Scott, "The Transforming Power of Faith and Character", General Conference, October 2010
Topics: Righteousness

Give Us Another Reagan

 

He mended America

Through grace under pressure

He through a miracle

Improved the free world we treasure

Give us another Reagan

We pray for our nation

He was a father to us all

We knew, from you, he took this call

He was candid and tough

Of firm mind, an example

Rooted in humor and trust

He lifted nations and people

Give us another Reagan

We pray for our nation

He was a father to us all

We knew, from you, he took this call

In the midst of great terror

When hysteria could rise

He inspired hearts to be tender

And brought down walls and built ties

Give us another Reagan

We pray for our nation

He was a father to us all

We knew, from you, he took this call

He transformed the economy

Turned enemies into friends

His accomplishments were many

The best, his example he lends

Give us another Reagan

We pray for our nation

He was a father to us all

We knew, from you, he took this call

He had providence with him

As from God’s word, he often spoke

We know that this great pilgrim

Knew Heaven’s welcome as dawn broke

Give us another Reagan

We pray for our nation

He was a father to us all

We knew, from you, he took this call

Words were inspired from Margaret Thatcher's Eulogy to Ronald Reagan.

Fall Back in Submission

 

Fall back. Submit
Into the waters of Christ
Be taught, repent,
And receive a holy light

Like a child treading waters
Fall back into the saving arms
Of our Heavenly Father
Feel protected and safe from harm

Completely enveloped
Trust in His wisdom and care
Faith is more developed
As you gain pure light to share

Next time as you hold the blessed emblems

Be fully enveloped in Christ's presence

To uphold the divine gift of the sacrament

In the moment be swept away, present

And then, when you tilt your head back

To sip from the Lord's cleansing cup

Think how the atonement purifies with power

And sanctifies. Give thanks and look up

"When i attended EFY last year there was a lesson taught on the sacrament, it taught me a greater appreciation of the healing power of the sacrament. The fact that in being baptized we must fall backwards into the water is instructive. In partaking of these emblems every week we must do it in a submission of our will to God, which allows us to be healed and forgiven. I learned that every time we partake of this ordinance we are completely enveloped in the waters of Christ or the love of God it acts as a cleansing, purifying, and sanctifying medicine. Every time i have renewed my covenants since that lesson i have pondered and thought on that baptismal covenant, that i was submitting my will to the Father, and that i was being fully enveloped in the presence of my savior Jesus Christ. Elder Oaks is on target, we must do everything possible to uphold the divine gift of the sacrament, we must not allow ourselves to be swept away in the weekly routine of sacrament participation." Anthony H 3 Dec 2011 https://www.lds.org/youth/article/how-to-prepare-for-the-sacrament?lang=eng

From a Broken Vessel to...

 

Midst life's thorns, thistles, and obnoxious weeds You can become trapped and develop disease Defeated with stress high and energy low The frazzled mind takes a psychic blow

Like a broken vessel

You can hold no more

This is very dreadful

You have naught to pour

Coping skills shut down, you're in need of rescue As you can't think your way out or know what to do Thoughts are stuck feelings in a circular fashion To break the cycle you must pray with passion

For a broken vessel

Must come to itself

And pray oft with passion

The Savior will help
A hymn is a prayer and a soothing balm Hum them, sing them and your heart will calm Believe in the atonement and, for you, Christ did pay And then your tears will flow in a different way

Though a broken vessel

Think kin Sui Gee

God glues you back with gold

To become a thing of beauty

Then fill your vessel with good things

Life's lessons, your blessings, treasure up

Record your feelings. Let them go

And with the Savior, weekly sup

As a renewed vessel

You hold the holy spirit within

Fill it with holy light

Go where the Lord whispers and the veil grows thin

Be a vessel shining bright

Just pondering this subject from what

I have experienced...

There's only so long your brain can perform in fight or flight mode and full steam ahead. The frontal lobe of reason and planning will shut down and you'll function at a lower level. You may think you are thinking but you are just feeling thoughts and you are literally in a rut as you do this again and again. You tell the brain this is how you cope. Sleep and food don't help, nor does advice. You need to write all those thought feelings down so the brain doesn't have to remember it all. Then seek the peace that comes with the spirit. Engage in scripture reading and higher reasoning, pray and sing. And give thanks.

I teach and sometimes panic sets in as pressure builds and starts to grip you.There is a schedule to keep and you've expectations of what the kids should know. I have a picture of me in the back of the room and I know I am smiling with love, joy, and the spirit. It warms me and reminds me and sometimes shocks me that I am that person.

KIN-tsu-gi.(gee)