Sunday, October 26, 2014

Walk Tall

It seems that lately what has brought me the most joy has been uplifting music.  Today I was able to attend my fourth Primary Sacrament Meeting program of the year, and once again was fed and uplifted by the beautiful music provided by the primary children.  These particular children were very diverse in their backgrounds and ages, but they all sang out loud and clear and beautifully.  Of course each ward program is just a bit different, and this particular ward had prepared the girls from their senior primary to sing a traditional LDS Young Women's camp song that I haven't heard for a few years.  It was very appropriate to the program, beautifully and willingly sung by these young girls who are full of faith and hope.   I thought I'd share this Utube video of the song, which is nice, but not nearly as beautiful as the singing that I heard earlier today.  



In my search for the video tonight, I also found that there is also a book by this same name, written by Jamie Glenn, who wrote the song.  I've put it on hold at the library so I can read it too!




And, just because I usually need to visually see the words in order to really understand what I am hearing, here are the lyrics as found at lds.org 


Walk Tall, You're a Daughter of God (camp song)

1. Right now I have a prayer deep with in my heart.
A prayer for each of you there is a special part.
That you remember who you are and Him who lives above.
Please seek for Him and live His way;
You’ll feel His love.
 Chorus
Walk tall, you’re a daughter, a child of God.
Be strong please remember who you are.
Try to understand,
You’re part of His great plan.
He’s closer than you know
Reach up, he’ll take your hand.
 2. Long before the time you can remember,
Our Father held you in His arms so tender,
Those loving arms released you as He sent you down to earth.
He said, “My child, I love you.  Don’t forget your great worth”
 3. This life on earth we knew would not be easy.
At times we lose our way
His path we may not see.
But please remember always- please-that you are not alone.
He’ll take your hand.
He loves you!
He will guide you home 

Text:  Jamie Glenn
Music:  Jamie Glenn

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Words From Our Prophets

Two weeks ago we as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and anyone else who cares to listen, had the privilege of listening to inspired messages from living apostles and prophets of God.   LDS General Conference is held twice yearly, during the first weekends of April and October.  I generally take copious notes on a new yellow legal pad as I listen,  marking particular thoughts that strike me as something I need to remember and pay attention to in the coming months.  A total of 10 hours of instruction is available to us via television and internet, or in person if one is lucky enough to have tickets to attend the conference in person.  By Sunday evening I am usually quite exhausted, and try to relax and enjoy some quiet time with my family.

It is almost impossible to remember all that was said and all that struck me as important, but usually there are one or two things that really stand out as to what I need to remember and work on during the coming months.  It has become very popular the past few years to share quotes and memes on facebook immediately following the conference addresses.  This year these are some that have really struck me as important.  First of all is the message from our President and Prophet, Thomas S. Monson:


As you can see, more than one person felt that this thought was important to remember and pass along:


Elder Holland's talk "Are We Not All Beggars?"  was also very touching to me and yielded these two memes:



I have a dear friend at work who doesn't attend church on a regular basis, but she still loves to watch General Conference.  This year she missed out on most of the conference due to some family  situations, but on Monday morning she did ask me about what Elder Scott, one of her favorite speakers, had said.  I of course couldn't remember it right then, so I printed out a copy of his talk for her that night and took it in to work to give her the next day.  I hope it helps her.  I loved his talk too, and here are a few of the things he shared that I want to focus on this year:





And here are two more thoughts that really struck a chord with me:



Of course I believe that all of the talks and messages given at General Conference were inspired message from our Heavenly Father, prepared especially for we his children who are living in this crazy world at this time.  The messages meant for you may not be the same as the ones that were meant for me, but we all have the opportunity and the responsibility to listen and study and pray to know what God wants us to know and to be doing during the next six months.   I challenge you to take some time each week or even each day to review these messages.  Find out for yourself what God wants and needs you to do.  

You can see these Highlights from General Conference on youtube or watch, listen to, and/or print the full versions of each message here at lds.org.   Enjoy General Conference, and may the Lord guide each of you during the coming months and years.

Sunday, October 5, 2014

With Joy Each Heart Will Swell


COME YE CHILDREN OF THE LORD
 Come, ye children of the Lord,
Let us sing with one accord.
Let us raise a joyful strain
To our Lord who soon will reign
On this earth when it shall be
Cleansed from all iniquity,
When all men from sin will cease,
And will live in love and peace.
 Oh, how joyful it will be
When our Savior we shall see!
When in splendor he'll descend,
Then all wickedness will end.
Oh, what songs we then will sing
To our Savior, Lord, and King!
Oh, what love will then bear sway
When our fears shall flee away!
All arrayed in spotless white,
We will dwell 'mid truth and light.
We will sing the songs of praise;
We will shout in joyous lays.
Earth shall then be cleansed from sin.
Ev'ry living thing therein
Shall in love and beauty dwell;
Then with joy each heart will swell.
Text: James H. Wallis, 1861-1940
Music: Spanish melody; arr. by Benjamin Carr, 1768-1831

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Stand Ye In Holy Places

Rendering of redesigned Ogden Utah Temple.

" Every foundation stone that is laid for a Temple, and every Temple completed according to the order the Lord has revealed for his holy Priesthood, lessens the power of Satan on the earth, and increases the power of God and Godliness... "

To Do Lists



Don't Be Discouraged.  You do more than you think.  Click on the above link to see an awesome video.


Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Summertime Gratefuls



I have been very negligent this summer in posting about my gratefuls and tender mercies.  I came across the above meme on facebook yesterday, and tonight have decided to catch up a bit and post some of my summertime gratefuls tonight:  (I promise to be more regular with this blog from this day forward)


  • DD3 graduated with her BA degree and was offered a good full time job!
  • DD2 graduated with her Master's degree and was able to safely move herself halfway across the country to be near her family!  And get her old job back!
  • DD4 found a great summer job in a wonderful National Park where she gained work experience, new friends, and had time to relax, recreate, and rejuvenate after a successful freshman year in college!
  • DD1 received a promotion at work!
  • DS1 and his girlfriend were able to spend a very fun long weekend with us in July!
  • DS2 and DDIL were blessed to bring a brand new baby boy home from the hospital at the end of August!  If all goes well they will officially adopt in about 6 months!
  • We celebrated my Dear Father's 90th birthday in May!
  • We celebrated with my dear parents as they served as the Grand Marshals of my hometown's annual Fiesta Days parade!
  • We celebrated with DH's Mother's annual July Family Party!
  • I was able to spend time with each of my siblings during the summer!
  • We were able to procure a brand new red Volkswagen Jetta and now have reliable transportation!
  • We have received much needed rain to help water the gardens and lawns!
  • We have dined on fresh strawberries, blackberries, cherries, green beans, tomatoes, peppers, basil and squash from our own garden.  The potatoes and carrots and beets and corn look promising too.
  • We celebrated Labor Day weekend with all four dear daughters who helped us with a massive cleanup of the family business!!
  • We have been blessed with random acts of service from wonderful neighbors!
  • And much much more.  
We're very grateful for the new Jetta!