Lessons from Lot

The story of job taught
That misfortunes are not
Alway synonymous with sin
As in trials we are taught
All about our faith from within
To know....

Some are gifts from our God, even
He IS our greatest gift given

And that...

His angels send blessing from Him!

https://youtube.com/shorts/B1v1fUmyQU8?si=8DpkclcvwoNYsy7W

Unlimited Access

There is no long and winding road

Where everyone's on a waitlist

The covenant path's direct and free

All that's required is faith and patience

https://www.facebook.com/reel/804168526043399/?mibextid=9drbnH&s=yWDuG2&fs=e

Patience to See the Results

The results may be slow

Before promise comes along

But to quit...you may miss

What you've wanted for so long

https://www.facebook.com/reel/762351929883367/?mibextid=9drbnH&s=yWDuG2&fs=e

Human Dignity

 

Living in complete darkness

Laboring and tunneling by hand

In a death camp- its purpose

To execute the solution plan

The Final Solution during WWll was for the genocide of Jews. 6 million were killed.

I just learned about one of the camps: The Ebensee Camp- Of the prisoners rescued, over 700 died from the starvation they had endured. They lived in complete darkness. It was painful for not only their eyes to adjust to daylight but their emaciated thin skin!

Breakfast- coffee

Lunch- potato peelings in boiled water

Dinner- 150 grams of bread- todays equivalent of 3 or 4 slices

Our God vs. Your God

Our God is pure and great. 

He is the Lord Almighty. 

He answers those with faith. 

Pray more- daily and nightly!

Our God has ears that hear

With a human form, like us

His presence is felt, "God is near!"

And His love burns the highest

450 false prophets prayers did fail

Though they screamed LOUDER- HIGHER

3 times they soaked- till the wood did swell

 Elijah prayed ONCE and the wood was consumed by fire

https://youtube.com/shorts/WBRbnSP3sWM?si=EtYqnzc5o-yDi2K7

They Were His- Before Yours

 Remember God's children

Were His, before yours!

They have greatness within

So don't be forlorn

I think of forlorn as sad and alone to the point of feeling hopeless.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUeFzG3koLa/?igsh=aDlhM25qdzQ1M3R3

Don't Doubt For a Second!

Don't doubt for a second 

The power of god's love 

His angels with chariots

Do attend from above

“Do not be afraid,” Elisha answered, “for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

17Then Elisha prayed, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.”

And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw that the hills were full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

Dont Forget Your Why!

 Don't forget your why

It gets you up and going

It helps you to try

For better things showing

Purposeful Days or This....

Sigh!  I let the day get away!

And it took a life of its own!

Yes, I forgot to pray all day!

Now, I'm frazzled in bed and worn!

I missed all that faith could have shown!

Hardened Heart

We don't know what 

Hardens a heart

We just know that

Pride adds more harm

Let Go of the Hurt

Let go of the hurt 

And give it to God

We all have our worst

Repent. It is gone!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUlp7biEZeU/?igsh=MTl3bnQ0eGYwd2c0ZA==

Hard Things Made Sacred

I testify, in awe

That in hard times, our God

Knows us all. He listens!

He blesses! He strengthens!

https://www.instagram.com/p/DU0Bdn1EWVd/?igsh=MXZ2N3cxdWxiOW4wNg==

Called Out of Darkness

                                              Photo via <a href="https://www.goodfreephotos.com/">Good Free Photos</a>

Called out of darkness

Into His wondrous light

A chosen people

Come and praise His insight 

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Prayerful Pondering

                                           Ronald Carlson has released this Aizona “Sunrise” image

What you really want to know...

Go to the source and ponder

It's through study you will grow

Then continue to wonder

Reflection puts you on a path

Of prayerful pondering and thought

And gathers in conversations

Some dream dreams and in slumber are taught

Job 33:14-18

14 For God does speak—now one way, now another— though no one perceives it.

15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they slumber in their beds,

16 he may speak in their ears and terrify them with warnings,

17 to turn them from wrongdoing and keep them from pride,

18 to preserve them from the pit, their lives from perishing by the sword.

Cognitive Bias

                                             Fire Laser Light Show in Calgary, Alberta, Canada image

Saying it is so

Doesn't make it true

But, fallacy will grow

If you allow it to

The IQ Decline and Digital Immersion

                                        Free Digital Brain Concept Image - Digital, Brain, Technology | Download at StockCake

To compete for kids attention

We've technology today

To "upgrade" their education

Weve taken away study and play

And now these savvy minds

Can neither retain or problem solve

To friendships they are blind

As screen time replaced old study halls

Gen Z Broke the IQ Wheel

https://www.cypher-news.com/2026/02/gen-z-just-broke-the-iq-wheel/

"Horvath added that upgrading education technology would not help, since technology itself is the problem and does not align with how the brain solves problems, develops and retains information.

‘Humans are biologically programmed to learn from other humans and from deep study, not flipping through screens for bullet point summaries,’ Horvath added"

Milk Before Meat

                                                                                Milk Or White Liquid Splash Png Free Stock Photo 

The gospel is customized

Uniquely, according to our needs

To begin- we drink of milk

Made for growth- before we chew on meat

1 Corinthians 3:2 – “I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.”

Hebrews 5:14 – “But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”

Milk is the fundamentals of the gospel:

Faith, repentance, baptism,etc

Sacred Seeds Sown

attribution

From the enveloping embrace of love

Comes the developing embryo of

A precious spirit sent from God above

In the likeness of the parents thereof

Emergence

This, as God's design 

That the Heavens align

For families to grow

Love's sacred seeds are sown

Royalty-Free photo: Fertilized egg, live, emergence

Learning and Ministering

                                                            attribution

Let learning light your mind 

See God's hand in all things. 

Share the good news you find 

And minister blessings

Thinking about Elder Gilbert stepping into Elder Holland's shoes. He is a wonderful fit!

250 Years- the U S A!

                                                                          attribution

We, the United States citizens

For two hundred and fifty years,

Have held up high our flag of freedom 

And pledged allegiance with love and tears

Pray as Much as You Worry

Pray as much as you worry

And be someone God speaks to

Speak with Him and don't hurry

And feel His love surround you

Psalms 23:

1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever*.

Refresh Your Faith

Refresh your faith with each new day

It blesses us to learn and grow, 

Conquer trials before your face

What joy and love you'll come to know!

Elder Gong visited Bradford Smith whose enduring faith and lessons of love, joy while accepting what life brings you day by day.... you'll be touched!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKFHoO9BSmL/?igsh=bWhubmtrdjdtbG5m

Psalms 16-8-11 I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

All Are in Need of Light

No two people are alike. 

We learn in different ways.  

But, we share a need for Light,

To find our Lord always

Pslams 18:28

28 You, LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.

Spiritual Growth- Work

The Spirit grows 

Through faithful labor

New insight shows

Light!...from our Savior!

Elder Gong teaches we only grow when we do the work.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNlGMFwRZ9w/?igsh=MTk2cXJmdmw5Z2s0MQ==

On the Dusty Path to Jericho

On the dusty path to Jericho,

the worst in us is seen in various degrees. 

How we see the need of miracles!

Our greatest pleas...made real! Jesus heals and He cleans!

Read Elder Gong's  October 2025 conference talk

https://www.instagram.com/p/DUoR0EGEnQj/?igsh=MXhnbzRhbWVweGF1OQ==

1. www.christiantoday.com › article › the-jericho-roadThe Jericho road: Jesus' parable is about transformation, not ...

   Jan 21, 2019 · One of Jesus' most well-known stories is the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10: 25-37), about the man travelling from Jerusalem to Jericho along the Jericho road.

Noah's Arc and the Temple

Like Noah's ark was for safety

We've the temple for our day

It will protect us greatly

Here our spirits are okay.

We should be quick to obey!

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1634862257517068/?mibextid=9drbnH&s=yWDuG2&fs=e

Get Spiritually Fed

This is a dark world, 

Emotionally led!

Get into God's Word

And be spiritually fed!

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1918476818795249/?mibextid=9drbnH&s=yWDuG2&fs=e

The Most Expensive House of God

What are you working to build?

                 A house of God- with 3,400 tons of gold

For strength, where do your eyes cast?

                 183,000 people laboring for 7 years

To enemies, what would you yield? 

                  Debt- gave up 20 cities- divided Israel

When done, how long will it last? 

                   373 years- fell when Babylon invaded

Watch this video on How Solomon's Temple Was Built: The Most Expensive Project in History

Competing Voices

Amidst competing voices,

And life's background of noises

Which of all counsels do you heed?

When each claims to have what you need?

Pray for Daily Bread

Pray for daily bread.

For guiding steps to take. 

In faith, to be fed.

In Spirit to awake

Elder Christofferson has conversations with youth at the Goshen Jerusalem set! He spoke of a time in financial crisis where he learned a miracle wasn't going to ease his burden and to seek "daily bread". 

Imagine sitting at the feet

Of a living Apostle

In a Jerusalem setting

Today! This is possible!

To Discern Truth

@alexgetts Yes!   

To discern truth from wrong

Take all your concerns to God. 

"Blindly following" is gone. 

In time, answers come to all

My Flag is the Truth

​@marioprevil1139  thank you!

My flag is the truth
And here is where I stand
Light flows, as my proof-
I feel and understand

https://youtu.be/Dl_BbZUgVEs?si=biBIcxSqTdgQ6_DT

Criticism Based on the Outward Appearance

According to Our Father's plan

The Lord sees beyond appearnce

Into the heart and soul of man

This is where we feel His nearness

-------

Hmmm. If he really is a salesman

He is offering what is free

For the happiness of man

To know, and feel, and be

I was reading comments about the newly called Apostle. Of the negative comments is a common thread -his outward appearance. But this one stood out: "smarmy looking sod, I wouldn't buy a used car from him."  Sigh

You don't need thick skin

To deflect criticism

You need Light within

To detect "What is with them?"

An Amazing Time

Let's have an amazing time

Pointing people to Christ

For joy and comfort and peace

Making meaning of life

Enjoying learning about Elder Gilbert as a newly called Apostle and listening to His testimony.

​“This is an amazing time to point people to the Savior Jesus Christ. When we do that, we can find joy and comfort and peace in Him... If people all across the world will look to Him, He will make their lives better, more meaningful, more joyful.”

https://www.ldsgospel.org/2026/02/elder-clark-g-gilbert-called-to-quorum.html

Seeking Much More

In these dark perilous times

Filled with growing commotion and strife

We seek much more of His Light

For He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life

Pondering Elder Gilbert's testimony as our newly called Apostle. 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUuAc0nDOJ4/?igsh=MXNnY3BmMmo5eGc0Mw==

Eternal Friends

 

Pondering Elder Anderson
April Conference 2019

Faith
Patience
Diligence

It is easy to feel forgotten

And terribly all alone

But, you have eternal friends!

By the Godhead, you ARE known!

Keeping the laws of God

 

Pondering Elder Anderson
April Conference 2019

Faith
Patience
Diligence

Keep the laws of God

Always before your face

Be patient...a lot

With diligence and faith

Opportunities Await

Don't let the past define you!

Opportunities await!

There is much that you can do!

In the Lord, increase your faith!

Thinking about what Elder Gilbert said in a conference talk as a Seventy. 

https://youtu.be/tKPcZNhdt1Q?si=oXoeVjplIUXOrB2E

Be Patient

Be patient in this world

It takes work to progress

Seek the Lord and His Word

We're prone to laze and digress

Pondering 

https://youtube.com/shorts/U8hMdvTd7nc?si=-V1Zso2pJYWHe7Lc

A Coffin? or Ashes?

A coffin? or ashes?

What does Jesus say?

To Heaven? He answers

That He is the Way

https://www.facebook.com/61573457120937/posts/pfbid02ebsoh9ksnPfZnwh5r69H9tXo3iZz6bdTJWu5d7ruExH3n2zujbGeVkxGF8B1Ff1Gl/?mibextid=CDWPTG

When Doubts Find You

When doubts find you

And insist to stay,

Restore your faith-  

Jesus is the  Way!

President Oaks spoke at the BYU devotional this week.  It was wonderful to hear from him in this setting. I am.sure that going to BYU as a youth was special to him- to build his keen mind and his determination to be faithful.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUl4n6hinuS/?igsh=bm9tNDM5dWhzZ2ox

Positive Effects of Prayer

 The positive effects of prayer

Truly others can feel!

IN those you've placed into God's care

His love begins to fill

Their hearts...Yes! GOD IS REAL!

Don't Give Up on God

Don't give up on God
Let Him teach, through faith
Give HIM all your doubts
And patiently wait

President Oaks spoke today at the BYU devotional. 

Rely on the Holy Ghost

Rely on the Holy Ghost

To recall what was learned

What counsel you need the most....

As spiritually discerned

President Oaks spoke at the BYU devotional, today.

Reconnect with Christ

Both within and without

Set aside what conflicts

For now, let go of doubt

And with Christ reconnect

President Oaks spoke at the BYU Devotional today. 

For the Love of God!

Draw near unto God-

His timing and promises

Set aside your doubt

For the love He offers us

President Oaks spoke at the BYU devotional today....

Students, faculty and staff, as well as community representatives and leaders, crowded the 19,000-seat Marriott Center in Provo, Utah, for the late-morning devotional. Students lined up as early as 6:30 a.m. in a queue that stretched to the Provo Missionary Training Center. As the close to 20,000 voices in the audience sang “We Thank Thee, Oh God, for a Prophet” to begin the meeting, the walls and seats of the Marriott Center hummed.

The Journey

                                     

                                                                           attribution

Trump is on a journey

Just like you and me

He's been called to be bold

To fight to keep us free

And fight a cause greater than he

Charlie Kirk said that Trump reminds him of Sampson- great hair... seriously, though- 

We are all on a journey

Flawed in many ways

And strive through Christ to be

Our best version always

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1400089478189801/?mibextid=9drbnH&s=yWDuG2&fs=e

The Cure to Any Crisis

The cure to any crisis 

Is walk closer to the Lord

With patience and humility

And give heed unto His word

President Oaks spoke about the cure for doubt at a BYU devotional today.

 "Whatever those doubts, the way to overcome them is to get closer to our Savior Jesus Christ. Again and again, He has taught us that He is the way."

https://x.com/OaksDallinH/status/2021331677897961507?s=20

Acting on Prayer

A  prayer given in faith
Extends beyond "Amen!"
The spirit can give strength
To act and do, often

https://youtube.com/shorts/gQtgmvsdpmw?si=PA2COIb4GU3GQo8u

Jesus is the Bridge Between Heaven and Earth

Oft darkness prevails here on Earth

Offering but chaos and death

Our Savior is the bridge to our worth

Unto Light and hope instead

Cross the bridge
Close the gap
And feel joy
Heaven wrapped

I've thinking of a majestic bridge going into the clouds with a burst of sun rays cutting through.

This video caught my attention as I was at the Hoover Dam today. It's impressive how its base on either side is carved into the mountain's side!  

https://youtube.com/shorts/lpNLNrEx_tE?si=UG22pItHua96E6Ek

Clearing Your Parent's Home

Hold on to what has meaning

Of cherished memories felt

Keep your home cleared for cleaning

And spread to cousins " the wealth!"

Video

What nobody told you about clearing your parent's home.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1413281823787168?mibextid=9drbnH&s=yWDuG2&fs=e

Like Never Before

Like never before

As more conflicts are on the attack

How we need the Lord

And a president who has His back

For our goodness and freedom

"America's superpower"

Comes from combined prayers for wisdom

To know God's will, hour by hour

It is through faith and prayer

Both individually and collectively

We've gained the freedoms we share

As a nation under God's sovereignty

President Trump Attends the National Prayer Breakfast Feb 5, 2026

https://youtu.be/QSUsXH3Ft6I?si=oo1uH8jykpccH9fg

 The video emphasizes several key religious points throughout the speeches by Pastor Paula White and President Donald Trump, as well as the concluding prayers:

• Importance of Faith and Prayer: The speakers repeatedly highlight that faith, prayer, and an awareness of God's sovereignty are paramount for the nation and the world. Prayer is described as "America's superpower." (0:26-0:29, 4:12-4:19, 1:22:06-1:22:08)
• Faith as a Public Good and Foundation of Freedom: The video states that President Trump views faith not as a private afterthought, but as a public good and the foundation of freedom, rather than a threat. (0:49-0:51, 4:06-4:08)
• Protection and Elevation of Religious Liberty:
  • The creation of the White House Faith Office is presented as an institutional elevation of faith in U.S. history, ensuring people of faith are partners in national and international affairs. (3:37-3:45)
  • President Trump is praised for championing religious freedom at home and abroad, defending persecuted believers, and ensuring America remains a nation where people are free to worship, speak, and live their conscience. (4:34-4:54)
  • The Johnson Amendment was effectively removed, allowing pastors to speak freely without losing their tax-exempt status. (57:51-1:00:41)
  • Service members dismissed for religious objections to vaccine mandates were reinstated with full pay. (1:02:27-1:02:46)
  • An executive order was signed to combat antisemitism, and a Department of Justice task force was set up to eradicate anti-Christian bias. (1:07:40-1:08:08)
• Personal Faith and Actions:
  • Pastor Paula White shares private anecdotes illustrating Trump's compassion, generosity, and efforts to help the forgotten and vulnerable, motivated by what was "the right thing to do," not political expediency. (1:34-1:54, 2:47-2:59)
  • The speakers suggest that religion is experiencing a strong comeback in the U.S., with increased church attendance and Bible sales. (46:16-46:22, 48:19-48:25, 49:08-49:15)
  • Trump announces an invitation for Americans to gather on the National Mall in May 2026 to rededicate America as "one nation under God." (49:55-50:20)
• Call to Action and Prayer for Leadership: The concluding prayers ask for wisdom, guidance, strength, and discernment for the President, emphasizing accountability to God and calling for his leadership to reflect the fruits of the spirit and be mindful of the poor and suffering. (1:23:14-1:27:55)