I'm listening to Enya Christmas 2026 for the most relaxing Christmas Music:
We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
In that same spirit of testimony, I bear witness that in his youth, Joseph Smith saw what he said he saw and conversed with those with whom he said he spoke . . . Coming from a lifetime of reading, I bear witness that the Book of Mormon is the most rewarding book I have ever read and the keystone of my little dwelling in a kingdom of many mansions. I bear witness that priesthood and prayer are restoring my life -- Christ's priesthood and your prayers. I know all this to be true and bear witness of it in the name of the most loyal and humble of all God's son -- Alpha and Omega, the Great I Am, the crucified, the faithful witness -- even the Lord Jesus Christ, amen.
I came across this interesting short on Youtube today (@LakepointeChurch) that was discussing the subtle Christian elements incorporated into the popular Christmas Movie, Home Alone. It's been quite a few years since I've watched the movie, so I don't clearly remember how much I noticed the things mentioned in this short, or in the article that I believe the video references, but I do remember most of the things that were mentioned. It did make me feel good to realize that in 1990 when the movie was first released, John Hughes was able to incorporate so much of Christian symbolism into a popular film. I believe there is much faith and goodness in this world today. We just need to be watching and looking for it and sharing it with others! Now I need to find a time to rewatch Home Alone sometime this Christmas Season.
We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second Repentance, third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfil all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets.
Behold, I come unto my own, to fulfil all things which I have made known unto the children of men from the foundation of the world, and to do the will, both of the Father and of the Son -- of the Father because of me, and of the Son because of my flesh. And behold, the time is at hand, and this night shall the sign be given.
And it came to pass that the words which came unto Nephi were fulfilled, according as they had been spoken; for behold, at the going down of the sun there was no darkness; and the people began to be astonished because there was no darkness when the night came . . .
And they began to know that the Son of God must shortly appear; yea, in fine, all the people upon the face of the whole earth from the west to the east, both in the land north and in the land south, were so exceedingly astonished that they fell to the earth.
For they knew that the prophets had testified of these things for many years, and that the sign which had been given was already at hand; and they began to fear because of the iniquity and their unbelief.
And it cam to pass that there was no darkness in all that night, but it was as light as though it was mid-day. And it came to pass that the sun did rise in the morning again, according to its proper order; and they knew that it was the day that the Lord should be born, because of the sign which had been given.
Now, let us speak of virtue. The Lord tells us to garnish our thoughts unceasinly with virtue. Imagine the boost you will receive to any positive thought when you enhance it with virtue. Virtue makes everything better and happier! On the other hand, imagine what will heppen when you add virtue to an impure thought, a cruel thought, or a depressing thought. Virtue will drive away those thoughts. Virtue will free you from anxious, troublesome thoughts.
We believe that through the Atonement of Chirst, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
I invite you to receive, either for the first time or to a greater extent than ever before, the magnificent realisation that you truly are God's beloved child. You must undo the bow, tear off the wrapping paper, open the bos, and actively receive with grateful humility a true, pure understanding of this foundational truth. The Holy Spirit can bear witness to your heart that you are indeed a child of the Most High. The Holy Spirit can bear witness to your heart that you are indeed a child of the Most High.
You are a beloved daughter of God, you are a cherished son of God, and He has gifted you His perfect, holy Son.
Most of my favorite Christmas Decorations are Nativities. This is the first nativity set that I ever purchased back when our family was small. It is small and simple and felt like a bit of a splurge at the time, but is a treasure to me. In the beginning there was much more moss on the stable. It has become even more humble over the years, and the donkey has lost a chip off of his ear.
The table runner above and the Nativity wall hanging below are two of the few projects that I have ever fully completed from a homemaking night with our church's Relief Society women's groups. I had earlier started a similar fabric nativity of my own design, but I never finished that one.
I fell in love with this little Nativity a few years ago, and purchased it for myself and one for my Mother-In-Law. After she passed a few years ago, I inherited hers. One sits on my desk at work and the other near my desk here at home. It's about nine inches long and 2 inches tall and fits perfectly in small spaces.
I cherish the ones that my daughters and others have purchased for me.
The last one was handmade from olive wood in the Holy Land.
My Mother in Law had a Fisher Price Natativity set much like this one when our children were small. Now that I am a Grandmother myself, I had to purchase one too. This one is out on the cedar chest in our living room (or our toy room as DGD2 calls the living room since when the grandkids come to visit I generally bring up an assortment of toys from the downstairs family room and storage room to keep the younger ones occupied while we are visiting upstairs.) The other nativities are kept high enough so little hands aren't tempted to play with those ones.
The wise men are still making their way to the stable through the "jungle" on the other side of the room. (Or is it a desert oaisis?
There are other nativities, mostly smaller, scattered here and there throughout the house this Christmas. The most recent is the grandest that we have, a gift from my DH, and has the place of honor on the livingroom Mantle. I know that other people may have larger and grander collections than I do, which is all perfectly fine. I am happy for them and I am happy for me. Hopefully all who believe have some sort of remembrance of our Savior during the Christmas season, even if it is only a simple card or illustration of the sacred holy night.
Every Christmas Eve we have the tradition of reading the Nativity Story from Luke and then singing carols together as a family. When our children were young we would act out the parts in costume. I loved coming across this excerpt from President Henry B Eyring's talk in the 2016 First Presidency Christmas Devotional on Youtube where he shares his family's Nativity experiences over the years.
One more wonderful message with another perspective on the Nativity by Elder Holland:
The dead who repent will be redeemed, through obedience to the ordinances of the house of God.
Reverence for the sacred fosters genuine gratitude, expands true happiness, leads our minds to revelation, and brings greater joy to our lives.
I beheld that the faithful elders of this dispensation, when they depart from mortal life, continue their labors in the preaching of the gospel of repentance and redemption, through the sacrifice of the Only Begotten Son of God, among those who are in darkness and under the bondage of sin in the grate world of the spirits of the dead.
For behold, Nephi was baptizing, and prophesyng, and preaching, crying repentance unto the people, showing signs and wonders, working miracles among the people, that they might know that the Christ must shortly come ---
Telling them of things which must shortly come, that they might know and remember at the time of their coming that they had been made known unto them beforehand, to the intent that they might believe; therefore as many as believed on the words of Samuel went forth unto him to be baptized, for they came repenting and confessing their sins.
Under God's plan, His highest blessings are given to those who promise in advance to keep certain commandments and who keep those promises.
Thus was it made known that our Redeemer spent his time during his sojurn in the world of spirits, instruction and preparing the faithful spirits of the prophets who had testified of him in the flesh;
The Saving of most of mankind:
Your worth isn't tied to obedience. Your worth is constant; it never changes. It was given to you by God. and there's nothing you or anyone else can do to change it. Obedience brings blessings; that is true. But worth isn't one of them. Your worth is always "great in the sight of God, no matter where your decisions have taken you.
Remember that the worth of souls is great in the sight of God.
And if ye believe on his name ye will repent of all your sins, that thereby ye may have a remission of them through his merits . . .
For behold, he surely must die that salvation may come; yea, it behooveth him and becometh expedient that he dieth, to bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, that thereby men may be brought into the presence of the Lord.
One of my greatest joys at Christmas is listening to Christmas Music. I love attending concerts, listening to songs on the radio as I drive about town, singing at church and with our family in our traditional Christmas Eve caroling after reading the story from Luke and before we hang our stockings and say our prayers and head to our beds with visions of sugar plums dancing in our heads. I usually refrain from playing Christmas music before Thanksgiving, but I truly love the music of the whole month of December.
This morning I came across this Youtube video of one of my favorite Christmas Songs, Oh Holy Night, one of the first Christmas songs ever sung on the radio:
And I also beheld that all children who die before they arrive at the years of accountability are saved in the celestial kingdom of heaven.
Listen to the words of Christ, your Redeemer, your Lord and your God. Behold, I came into the world not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance; the whole need to physician, but they that are sick; wherefore, little children are whole, for they are not capable of committing sin; wherefore the curse of Adam is taken from them in me, that it hath no power over them; and the law of circumcision is done away in me.
But little children are alive in Christ, even from the foundation of the world; if not so, God is a partial God, and also a changeable God, and a respecter to persons; for how many little children have died without baptism!
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Christ's New Testament Church restored.
For I, the Lord, will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts.
Those who reject God as the source of truth, or disavow any accountability to Him, in effect substitute themselves as their God.
Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard.
Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth becaus of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities.
I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me.
And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted.
My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep.
Today I also came across this interesting video of John Hilton discussing with Steven Jones of "Let's Get Real", the study of Stylometry, or the study of linguistic style, which shows that The Book of Mormon was not written by one person, but many different writers. Part of the discussion centers around the portion of the 4th chapter of 2 Nephi commonly called "the Psalm of Nephi."
This Morning I found this 2023 Interview between Scripture Central's Stephen Jones and LDS Young Men's leader Brad Wilcox. This Youtube video is about why Brother Wilcox believes God's grace is the key to overcoming the current epidemic of loneliness, needing love, and not knowing where to find it. He shares memories of his childhood in Ethopia and thoughts on love. I found it well worth the time to listen:
Thus came the voice of the Lord unto me, saying: All who have died without a knowledge of this gospel, who would have received it if thye had been permitted to tarry, shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God.
And these are those who have part in the first resurrection; and these are they that have died before Christ came, in their ignorance, not having salvation declared unto them. And thus the Lord bringeth about the restoration of these ; and they have a part in the first resurrection, or have eternal life, being redeemed by the Lord.
Lifelong discipleship of Jesus Christ begins in our homes -- and in Primary as early as 18 months of age. We want our children to believe in Jesus Christ, belong to Jesus Christ and His Church through covenant, and strive to become like Jesus Christ.
I love the Christmas Season, don't you? The food, the decorations, the lights, the music, the family get togethers and family traditions, the shopping and selecting of gifts for friends and loved ones! It has been my blessing to have experienced many happy Christmas Seasons. I've shared some of our family Christmas Traditons in previous blog posts, so this post isn't about those traditions.
Of course some people don't actually celebrate Christmas, and for those that do, many don't find the season very enjoyable, for a variety of reasons. Financial situations, personal and family issues, the loss of loved ones, and just the general stress of trying to prepare and do it all. I understand. I've also experienced most of the forementioned issues in the past. Often the true meaning of Christmas, the celebration of the birth and life of Jesus Christ, Savior of the World gets lost amongst all of the doing of Christmas.
I'm so grateful for the Light the World Program, a special invitation to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ by sharing His light with others throughout the Christmas Season through acts of kindness. Looking for ways to make the season brighter? The Light the World website has many ideas of simple and inexpensive ways you can share the light throughout the season, including this list of ideas that you can print out and hang on your refrigerator. Don't try to do them all, unless you really have the time and means to do so, but the more light and love that you share, the more light and love you feel!
Wishing you a very lovely, light filled December and holiday season!
We have a Thanksgiving tradition in our family of taking a few minutes on Thanksgiving Day to write down things that we are grateful for on colored leaves that we then attach to our Thankful Tree. Some families that I know use their Thankful Tree all during the month of November. What are you grateful for this year?
Giving Thanks for our Savior Jesus Christ -- (then) Elder Dallin H Oaks -- current President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
The Healing Power of Gratitude: Russell M Nelson:
The Divine Gift of Gratitude -- Thomas S Monson
I try to spend at least a bit of time each morning and each evening reading scripture and listening to the words of living prophets. I usually check the verse of the day and the quote of the day that are posted on the Gospel Library app that I have loaded onto my phone. If I have the time, I will listen to the talk referenced in the quote of the day. I also take some time each week to read the outline from Come Follow Me as DD1 and I prepare to teach our primary class. I also try to read a bit from The Book of Mormon sometime everyday, usually in the evenings before sleep. I love the scriptures and the words of the prophets, and spending time each day helps me to keep everything else that is happening in our life and world into persepctive. Do you have a schedule for reading and studying the word of God?
Last month in October 2025, President Dallin H Oaks was announced as the 18th President and Prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Saints. We are never to fear that we will ever be without a Prophet of God and Heavenly Father's guidance here on the earth. We have been blessed for many years to listen to his wise and kind counsel in his General Conference talks, but in the past few weeks we have had many opportunities to learn more him. His wife, Sister Kristen M Oaks recently spent some time with Sherrie Dew to share some of her insights about President Oaks and her testimony of the Temple and of Jesus Christ. Who better to help us understand our prophet than his wife?
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I try to spend at least a bit of time each morning and each evening reading scripture and listening to the words of living prophets. I usually check the verse of the day and the quote of the day that are posted on the Gospel Library app that I have loaded onto my phone. If I have the time, I will listen to the talk referenced in the quote of the day. I also take some time each week to read the outline from Come Follow Me as DD1 and I prepare to teach our primary class. I also try to read a bit from The Book of Mormon sometime everyday, usually in the evenings before sleep. I love the scriptures and the words of the prophets, and spending time each day helps me to keep everything else that is happening in our life and world into persepctive. Do you have a schedule for reading and studying the word of God?
Well, it's come right down to the wire for those who will be preparing this year's Thanksgiving feasts! Hopfully the shopping is done, the lists are made, and everyone knows who is responsible for what. This year will be simpler than some for us, but it's all good. Some years we have enjoyed large family gatherings, and some we have enjoyed a simpler Thanksgiving on our own. We have always had something to be grateful for, even in the years of sorrow. Calling on the Lord with supplication brings us comfort and joy.
And so, here's the yearly question: Tomorrow is pie baking day. I think we will be having the pumpkin, the apple, the mincemeat, and a chocolate cake. So what is your favorite pie or dessert, and what desserts will be on your table?
Tonight we decided to watch episode 3 of season five of The Chosen. I think I had started to watch the episode earlier this year, but didn't finish the episode, but after studying the lesson for Come Follow Me this week, the ending of this episode was very tender. I don't want to spoil it for you if you haven't watched this episode, but season five is based on the final week of the Savior's life, and this episode shows the Savior discussing with his apostles that no one, not even the Savior himself knows when he will return. If you aren't familiar with The Chosen, I highly recommend this series for everyone. If you have seen the series, I would recommend rewatching episode 3 of season five.
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered they children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
Behold, your hous is left unto you desolate.
For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Matthew 23:27-29
I don't believe that all of the episodes of seson five of the chosen are currently available on Youtube, but you can watch this compilation of all of the scenes that make up the portrayal of The Last Supper:
Currently in my reading of The Book of Mormon, I'm again reading in the book of Helaman. As per usual, I find myself frustrated at how often, in the space of not many years, Helaman and his sons and others of those working with him in the leadership of the Church find themselves once again preaching the word of God, not only to the Lamanites, but also to the Nephites who have again gone astray and become prideful and wicked. The contention of those times reminds me, and most likely others who read The Book of Mormon, of the world that we live in today. Yes, I know that there has been evil and war and contention almost always somewhere in the world all during my lifetime, but it all seems to be commanding our attention almost constantly in recent years. So I've been trying to focus on the verses where the efforts of the prophets have met with success, and the people in the land have repented, and they are living in peace:
And it came to pass that the seventy and sixth year did end in peace. And the seventy and seventh year began in peace; and the church did spread throughout the face of all the land; and the more part of the people, both the Nephits and the Lamanites, did belong to the church; and they did have exceedingly great peace in the land; and thus ended the seventy and seventh year.
This time around it accured to me that all of these stories of the "cycle" of wickedness, repentance, righteousness, pride, and wickedness are evidences of God's great love for us in providing, through the atonement of Jesus Christ, the opportunity for everyone everywhere who has ever lived on this earth to repent. Over and over again, each and every day, we each make mistakes and are again in the need of repentance. Hopefully we aren't making terrible and wicked mistakes that need repenting of, but I know that each day I make mistakes such as unkind thoughts or words, selfishness, laziness, or not listening to promptings or taking advantage of opportunities to help others around me. But I do have the blessing of being able to reach out to my Father in Heaven in prayer each morning and each evening to check in with him, or anytime during the day, to ask for forgiveness and seek for guidance. I have the blessing of being able to repent. I am grateful for repentence.
Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more.
Text: William Fowler, 1830–1865
Music: Caroline Sheridan Norton, 1808–ca. 1877
We thank thee, O God, for a prophet
To guide us in these latter days.
We thank thee for sending the gospel
To lighten our minds with its rays.
We thank thee for every blessing
Bestowed by thy bounteous hand.
We feel it a pleasure to serve thee
And love to obey thy command.
When dark clouds of trouble hang o’er us
And threaten our peace to destroy,
There is hope smiling brightly before us,
And we know that deliv’rance is nigh.
We doubt not the Lord nor his goodness.
We’ve proved him in days that are past.
The wicked who fight against Zion
Will surely be smitten at last.
We’ll sing of his goodness and mercy.
We’ll praise him by day and by night,
Rejoice in his glorious gospel,
And bask in its life-giving light.
Thus on to eternal perfection
The honest and faithful will go,
While they who reject this glad message
Shall never such happiness know.
For the past several years I have been starting some of my garden plants in the basement laundry room using a warming pad and two grow lights. I don't have a huge amount of space, so have been a bit limitted on the number of plants I can grow, but have had a bit of success starting plants from seeds harvested from tomatoes, peppers and squash from the local grocery stores, along with some purchased seeds.
One day this past winter as I was doing a load of laundry, I noticed a little sprout delicately clinging to the rough cement in the drain from the water softener. I took a photo of said tomato sprout before planting it into a a little blue pot and placing it in my kitchen window.
This little seedling was carefully nourished all winter long, and was the first tomato planted in my garden this summer. I've watered it and pulled the weeds, and the little tomato plant has now produced two very fine ripe tomatoes that we will eat for our dinner tonight . . . our first ripe tomatoes of the season.
This photo shows a tomato from another plant purchased from the local Lambert's nursery (the larger one) that was planted a week or so later, along with a few squash, cucumbers and green beans also harvested today.
How does your garden grow this summer?
