the light which is in all things

D&C 88: 6-7, 11-13

6 He that ascended up on high, 

as also he descended below all things, 

in that he comprehended all things, 

that he might be in all and through all things, 

the light of truth;

7 Which truth shineth. 

This is the light of Christ. 

As also he is in the sun, and the light of the sun, 

and the power thereof 

by which it was made.

• • •

11 And the light which shineth, 

which giveth you light, 

is through him who enlighteneth your eyes, 

which is the same light that quickeneth your understandings;

12 Which light proceedeth forth from the presence of God 

to fill the immensity of space—

13 The light which is in all things,

 which giveth life to all things,

 which is the law by which all things are governed, 

even the power of God who sitteth upon his throne, 

who is in the bosom of eternity, 

who is in the midst of all things.

These words fill me with light.

You don't choose your family. 

They are God's gift to you, as you are to them. 

~Desmond Tutu

There is beauty all around

When there’s love at home;

There is joy in ev’ry sound

When there’s love at home.

Peace and plenty here abide,

Smiling sweet on ev’ry side.

Time doth softly, sweetly glide

When there’s love at home.

Love at home, love at home;

Time doth softly, sweetly glide

When there’s love at home.

In the cottage there is joy

When there’s love at home;

Hate and envy ne’er annoy

When there’s love at home.

Roses bloom beneath our feet;

All the earth’s a garden sweet,

Making life a bliss complete

When there’s love at home.

Love at home, love at home;

Making life a bliss complete

When there’s love at home.

Kindly heaven smiles above

When there’s love at home;

All the world is filled with love

When there’s love at home.

Sweeter sings the brooklet by;

Brighter beams the azure sky.

Oh, there’s One who smiles on high

When there’s love at home.

Love at home, love at home;

Oh, there’s One who smiles on high

When there’s love at home.

Text and music: John Hugh McNaughton, 1829–1891

To us, family means putting your arms around each other and being there. 

~Barbara Bush

"In the end, the number of prayers we say may contribute to our happiness, 

but the number of prayers we answer may be of even greater importance. 

Let us open our eyes and see the heavy hearts, 

notice the loneliness and despair; 

let us feel the silent prayers of others around us, 

and let us be an instrument in the hands of the Lord to answer those prayers."

Happiness, Your Heritage

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Pres. Uchtdorf also said:

"Our birthright—and the purpose of our great voyage on this earth—is to seek and experience eternal happiness."

There is a plan of happiness. 

It is not elusive.

It is real.

It is to forget ourselves, get to work

and do the will of God.

He lives for our happiness, as we should live for

the happiness of others.

I pray I can be an instrument in 

the hands of God.

Be Thou Humble

Be thou humble in thy weakness, and the Lord thy God shall lead thee,

Shall lead thee by the hand and give thee answer to thy prayers.

Be thou humble in thy pleading, and the Lord thy God shall bless thee,

Shall bless thee with a sweet and calm assurance that he cares.

Be thou humble in thy calling, and the Lord thy God shall teach thee

To serve his children gladly with a pure and gentle love.

Be thou humble in thy longing, and the Lord thy God shall take thee,

Shall take thee home at last to ever dwell with him above.

Grietje Terburg Rowley

sunshine in my soul

Looking on the Positive Side

"You have a choice. You can wring your hands and be consumed with concern for the future or choose to use the counsel the Lord has given to live with peace and happiness in a world awash with evil. If you choose to concentrate on the dark side, this is what you will see. . . . Now the brighter side. Despite pockets of evil, the world overall is majestically beautiful, filled with many good and sincere people. God has provided a way to live in this world and not be contaminated by the degrading pressures evil agents spread throughout it. You can live a virtuous, productive, righteous life by following the plan of protection created by your Father in Heaven: His plan of happiness."

Richard G. Scott, "How to Live Well amid Increasing Evil," Ensign, May 2004, 100

There is sunshine in my soul today,

More glorious and bright

Than glows in any earthly sky,

For Jesus is my light.

O there's sunshine, blessed sunshine,

While the peaceful, happy moments roll;

When Jesus shows His smiling face

There is sunshine in my soul.

There is music in my soul today,

A carol to my King;

And Jesus, listening, can hear

The song I cannot sing.

There is springtime in my soul today,

For when the Lord is near

The dove of peace sings in my heart,

The flowers of grace appear.

There is gladness in my soul today,

And hope, and praise, and love,

For blessings which He gives me now,

For joys laid up above.

"I love Him. 

I speak the name of Jesus Christ in reverence and wonder. 

He is our King, our Lord, our Master, 

the living Christ, who stands on the right hand of His Father. 

He lives! 

He lives, resplendent and wonderful,

 the living Son of the living God."

-Gordon B. Hinckley

I know that my Redeemer lives;

What comfort this sweet sentence gives!

He lives, He lives, who once was dead;

He lives, my ever living Head.

He lives to bless me with His love,

He lives to plead for me above.

He lives my hungry soul to feed,

He lives to help in time of need.

He lives triumphant from the grave,

He lives eternally to save,

He lives all glorious in the sky,

He lives exalted there on high.

He lives to grant me rich supply,

He lives to guide me with His eye,

He lives to comfort me when faint,

He lives to hear my soul’s complaint.

He lives to silence all my fears,

He lives to wipe away my tears

He lives to calm my troubled heart,

He lives all blessings to impart.

He lives, my kind, wise, heavenly Friend,

He lives and loves me to the end;

He lives, and while He lives, I’ll sing;

He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.

He lives and grants me daily breath;

He lives, and I shall conquer death:

He lives my mansion to prepare;

He lives to bring me safely there.

He lives, all glory to His Name!

He lives, my Jesus, still the same.

Oh, the sweet joy this sentence gives,

I know that my Redeemer lives!

ministering angels

Last week I was listening to some inspirational talks on KBYU. 

Two of the talks just happened to be about ministering angels.  

I reflected on this, as I often have.  

I then attended the church service that my husband and I coordinate at an assisted living center in town.  

The main talk was on the ministering of angels.  

It took me by surprise and wondered if there was something I needed to know personally about angels and our journey here on this earth.  

Two key phrases stuck in my head. 

1.  Ministering angels are around you.

2.  You can be a ministering angel here on this earth.

These phrases filled me with warmth and peace.  

I in fact know that there are individuals from the other side of this veil of life that cheer us on.  I have felt this, especially in difficult times. 

I liked the concept that we on this earth could be 

used as a ministering angel, as well.  

'I want to be an angel', I thought. 

Truly.  I do. How do I become an angel?

Then I realized, I'd like to thank those angels who have helped me over the years.

Living, and on the other side.

I feel a great deal of gratitude for them.  

More than they will ever know. 

So, Thank You, dear angels.

I appreciate your following the light of Christ, your comfort, your intervention.

It is a sacred and rare gift.

I love you.

************

"I would like to say a word about the ministering of angels. 

In ancient and modern times angels have appeared and given instruction, warnings, and direction, which benefited the people they visited. 

We do not consciously realize the extent to 

which ministering angels affect our lives. 

President Joseph F. Smith said, 

“In like manner our fathers and mothers, brothers, sisters and friends who have passed away from this earth, having been faithful, and worthy to enjoy these rights and privileges, 

may have a mission given them 

to visit their relatives and friends upon the earth again, 

bringing from the divine Presence messages of 

love, of warning, or reproof and instruction, 

to those whom they had learned to love in the flesh.”  

Many of us feel that we have had this experience. 

Their ministry has been and is an important part of the gospel."

James E. Faust, “A Royal Priesthood,” Ensign, May 2006, 50–53

Can you identify times in your life when you felt a presence was helping you?

We Are All Children of God

Gal. 3: 26

 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

Sometimes things don't appear as they really are.

We all have a personal history that we carry,

a unique journey of joy and pain.

I was told once that when we get to paradise,

we will be able to hug a person and then

feel their life on earth.

Feel what they have been through,

have empathy and compassion

beyond description. 

I don't know if this is true,

but I like the premise.

We would be incapable of judging others.

I really like this.

I try to apply this in my life.

To look beyond the obvious,

dig down into the heart of the child of God.

To love like God,

and know their goodness.

The landscape is larger than it appears

in this life,

like the heart of our fellowman.

Each of us,

a child of God.

So, I have had some regrets.

1.  In 1982 I saw a women in an Arctic Circle in Buhl, Idaho with five children sitting in a booth. Her demeanor was sad and depressed. I knew I should go over to her and ask her if she needed help.  What prevented me?  I had my own babe in my arms, I was shy, what if she rejected me. 

I didn't  do it.  I was so young and lacking in courage. To this day I pray for her, and regret I didn't do it.

2.   A few years back, I was with my sister Judy in down town San Diego.  We were in a flower market.  A young girl about 20 or so with coal black hair, black and white striped tights, black makeup all over her face....saw me and my sister walking towards a booth.  She came up to me, looked me in the face and gave me the finger.  I looked back into her eyes  and never felt so much love for a person as I did for her that day. ' I said, 'Are you alright?'  She ran off.  I felt compelled to buy her a flower.  I went to the vender and bought her a daisy.  I looked all over for her, then gave up.  I regret that I gave up.  I think she needed that daisy.  I pray for her, too. 

3.   Many years ago I saw a man carrying around a young little girl in DI.   She was dirty and barefoot.  I wanted to buy her a pair of shoes.  He was a mean looking man.  He scared me.  I reflected on how I would approach him.  I didn't do it.  I was afraid. I regret this.

Because I have a stronger testimony of this truth that we are all children of God, the same source, the same flesh, the same...

I have become less afraid, more able to approach, more guided, just more....

 I want no more regrets.

John 13: 34-35

34 A new commandment I give unto you, 

That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

How can you express more love to your fellowman...

To Be Of Good Cheer

I am a lucky girl.  I grew up in a cheerful home.  Of course, there were times of sadness and heartbreak, but for the most part my childhood home was filled with my dad's silly sense of fun, my mother's talent for cooking yummy foods, singing songs from musicals, celebrating gardens and food and  fun. Yup, I am a lucky girl.

The older I get, I have learned to appreciate this unique aspect of my family.  I have come to realize that not all families are cheerful.  In fact, it is rather rare and distinct.  And, I am grateful for being taught to see the glass half full, the sunshine midst the clouds, the lesson learned from adversity.  It has developed the ability to see the good in others, the good in life, the just plain good. 

So I seek good cheer.  I am filled with the spirit of hope as a result. 

Most importantly, the spirit of all that is good and happy and filled with love. 

Basically, the spirit of love. 

Marvin J. Ashton, “‘Be of Good Cheer’,” Ensign, May 1986, 66

Over the last number of weeks as I have contemplated this occasion, I have been strongly impressed to share some thoughts about the Lord’s invitation to “be of good cheer”—yes, to be of good cheer without fear. With world conditions of riots, protests, arms buildups, wars and rumors of war, mistrust, poverty, disappointments, terrorism, tragedies, etc., there has never been a period in history when there is a greater need to accept another of the Lord’s eternal promises.

“Behold, this is the promise of the Lord unto you, O ye my servants.

“Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you; and ye shall bear record of me, even Jesus Christ, that I am the Son of the living God, that I was, that I am, and that I am to come.” (D&C 68:5–6.)

Good cheer is a state of mind or mood that promotes happiness or joy. Some like to think good cheer is found in a bottle, a six-pack, an injection, a pinch under the lip, rationalization, or self-deceit. Incidentally, it has been my observation over the years that those who try to drown their sorrows with drink only sicken their tomorrows. With God’s help, good cheer permits us to rise above the depressing present or difficult circumstances. It is a process of positive reassurance and reinforcement. It is sunshine when clouds block the light.

Recently, while visiting with a wife who had suddenly lost a husband through a tragic death, I was touched by this lovely lady from Washington, Utah, when she said, “My heart is heavy and sad, but my soul is of good cheer.” There was a powerful inward cheer dominating the sorrowful situation. The promise, “for I the Lord am with you,” was triumphing over heartache and despair. People of good cheer soften the sorrow of others as well as those that weigh mightily upon themselves.

None of us will escape tragedy and suffering. Each of us will probably react differently. However, if we can recall the Lord’s promise, “for I the Lord am with you,” we will be able to face our problems with dignity and courage. We will find the strength to be of good cheer instead of becoming resentful, critical, or defeated. We will be able to meet life’s unpleasant happenings with clear vision, strength, and power.

****************

He promises to stand by us. He invites us to bear record and witness of him. 

What a joy and honor it is for me to declare in good cheer and without fear that Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God, that he was the Only Begotten of the Father, that he is, and that he will yet come again in God’s name. I thank God for the Savior’s life, his cheerful love, and his example. 

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear.” (1 Jn. 4:18.)

To all mankind everywhere I cheerfully testify that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is our Redeemer. He will sustain us now and forever if we will walk in his paths, be of good cheer, and not fear. 

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

To Be Pure

Moroni 7: 47-48

47 But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.

48 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.

I ask myself how I can be more pure.

Clean.

White.

Untouched.

Living in a world where every turn

lies the soil of the deceiver.

I despise the filth.

I crave light,

 fresh,

new,

clear,

goodness,

renewal.

I want to be pure, like Christ. 

Let my heart be cleansed before Him.

Let me leave this world behind.

May my words and deeds be

a source of refreshment,

that I might be more like Him.