Why Do People Love General Conference?

 

An Anniversary Some May Have Missed . . . And A Wonderful Blessing to All The World

 On February 11th, 1526, 500 years ago, an extraordinary event happened in London.  William Tyndale lived during the reformation when people were rediscovering that a person can be saved by the most famous event in history:  the life,  crucifiction and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  The only Bibles available at that time were in Latin. In Europe he was able to translate an accurate version of the New Testament into English.  Thousands of copies were printed and smuggled across the Channel into England.   The Bibles were captured and taken to St Paul's Cathedral where they were burned.  The seed was planted and demand grew and 100,000 copies made it into people's hands.

I am so grateful to have access to scripture any time of any day.  I own multiple books of scripture and can access digital versions of scripture at any time.  Aren't we blessed?

The Prophet of the Lord Speaks

 

The recently ordained Prophet of the Lord and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Dallin H Oaks, gave his first public address yesterday, February 10, 2026 at the Student Devotional held at Brigham Young Unviersity in Provo Utah.   I'm grateful that I was able to listen to the devotional address last night before I went to sleep.  I'm grateful to know that the Lord has a living prophet to guide us in these days.   There was nothing new or earth shattering in his remarks, but a kind and concerned counsel to the students at Brigham Young University and to all who will listen, as the devotional is available for all to view and listen to online.  

President Oaks expressed his concern for people who are leavning the church.  He counseled us to surround ourselves with people who believe.  He outlined four ways for us to draw closer to our Savior:  First strengthen our faith in Him.  Second increase our humility.  Third seek help from others. And fourth, be patient.  He quoted former apostle and church leader Richard L Evans regarding science in that science is man discovering what God already knows.   He counseled us to take our doubts and our concerns to the Lord, and reminded us of the words of  our beloved Prophet Russell M Nelson that in coming days it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.  

I'm grateful to live in this time when we have a living prophet on the earth.  I'm grateful to have good friends and family and neighbors who believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ and strive to live by Christ's teachings and example.  I'm grateful for the power of prayer.  I hope I can do better each day and become a better person each day, and go about doing good and helping others as Jesus Christ did and taught.  May you all have a wonderful evening or a wonderful day, and may you take the time to listen to the words of our living prophet of God.  

Let's Act For Ourselves: It's Too Late to Say We Didn't Know

The popular TV/Movie series  The Chosen does a very good job of portraying how many of the people of Jesus's time missunderstood the mission of the Messiah.   Many believed that the promised Messiah would come to save the Jewish people from the political and economic difficulties of their day.   As we know, that was not the case.  In his encounter with the woman from Samaria at the well near the beginning of his ministry, the Jesus instructs 

Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again;

But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water spring up into everlasting life . . . . 

The woman saith unto him, I know that messias cometh, which is called Christ:  when he is come, he will tell us all things.  

Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.

John 4: 13,14,25,26

John Taylor, the third President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints reported:  "Some years ago in Nauvoo, a gentleman in my hearing a member of the Legislature, asked Joseph Smith how it was that he was enabled to govern so many people, and to preserve such perfect order; remarking at the same time that it was impossible for them to do it anywhere else.  Mr Smith remarked that it was very easy to do that. "How?" responded the gentleman; 'to us it is very difficult.'  

Mr Smith replied, 'I teach them correct principles, and they govern themselves.'"

(bold added.  See Gospel Courses, Principles John Taylor, "The Organization of the Church," Millennial Star, Nov. 15, 1851, p. 339.)

For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.

Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;

For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves.  And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.

But he that doeth not anything until he is commanded, and receiveth a commandment with doubtful heart, and keepeth it with slothfullness, the same is damned. 

D&C 58:26-29.

Some of us may be hoping for the Messiah to come and save our country and our world from the political chaos that we currently see all around us. 

Some of us may be hoping that our current leaders, legislators, judges and administration will somehow figure it out and make it all right.

Some of us may be hoping that our religious leaders will speak up and that the world will listen, and somehow everything will be all right.   Our religious leaders teach us correct principles and are hoping that we will do our part to stand up for what is right and good and true.  

I believe that the Savior will return to the earth and reign in righteousness, but I don't believe it will happen this week.  Or this month.  Probably not this year.  We know not the day nor the hour.

I DO believe that our nation is lost and in trouble and I believe it is up to each of us to PAY ATTENTION to what is happening and to SPEAK UP.   Call and write your Senators and Representatives. Right now Senators are considering more funding for ICE and CBP as they finalize spending bills for federal agencies before the January 30th deadline.  If you've never contacted your public officials before, here's where to do that:  

Contact your Senators

Contact your Representatives

We have been sent to live on earth during these days.  It is part of our test as to how we will act and respond to what is happening in our country. 

For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdome for such a time as this?

Esther 4:14

It's too late to say you didn't know.  This isn't just about deporting criminals and the worst of the worst.  It's about agents being ordered to meet impossible quotas.  It's about insufficient and inadequate training for agents and officers.  It's about agents being told they don't need to follow due process and can detain anyone based on "suspicion".  It's about for profit detention centers lining the pockets of the rich.  It's about White Nationalism and Racial profiling and the abuse of our consitution.  Fellow Americans WAKE up and SPEAK up.  Call your Senators and Representatives.  

Bright Spot of the Day

 This evening as I was leaving work, a bit later than most people,  my path crossed with one of the cutest tiniest little people I have met quite a while.  This little guy must be about 1 year old based on his size and the way he was toddling down the hallway with his mother.   Our eyes met, and I smiled at him.  His serious face broke out into a huge grin, and he started to follow me as I headed towards the exit.  The movement and noise of the automatic doors opening startled him for a split second, and he headed back towards his mother, but not for long, and he again started to follow after me.  His mother quickly intercepted him before he could speed out into the cold and dark evening, and we exchanged smiles.  

Isn't the innocent and accepting curiosity and happiness of babies and young children wonderful?  

Happy Evening!

Have I Done It Unto The Least of These?

For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink:  I was a stranger, and ye took me in:  Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visted me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 

--Matthew 25:35, 36

A week or so ago I posted some of my thoughts for this new year 2026 -- Jesus Went About Doing Good -- I really do want to be good and do good, but so many times find myself lacking, and wishing I coud or would be able to do more good in this world and to do more to take away some of the injustice and inequity we see all around.   These versed from Matthew are quoted fairly often in may places as an example of what the Lord Jesus Christ expects of his disciples.  

So, as part of my introspection during the past few weeks, Have I Done It Unto The Least of These?

Have I given food to the hungry?

Have I done anything to help others have clean sources of water?

Have I taken in a stranger?  Into my country, my neighborhood, or even my home?

Have I provided clothing to anyone who needed clothing?

Have I visited the sick?

Have I visited or helped anyone in prison?

Yes.  I can honestly say I have done something in each of the categories above.  Though I haven't personally invited a stranger to live in my home, we have fed strangers and advocated for welcoming strangers and refugees into our country and helped to provide basic necessities for people and families new to our country and area.

Have I been the recipient in each of the above categories?   Yes, I can say I have in every instance, except for being in prison.       

Have I done enough?   Absolutely not.  I still can give and share much more.  This is my goal and my desire to continue to find ways to love and serve my fellow men and women, and my Savior.  

Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 

For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink:  I was a stranger, and ye took me in:  Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visted me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righeous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?  When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?  Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?  

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. 

Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:  

For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat:  I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:  I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.  Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?  Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.  

Matthew 25:34-45

Loving and Nurturing Others In Times of Commotion

 In these times of political and economic commotion and uncertainty,  it is very tempting to be discouraged almost every day.  It is difficult to focus on the good and joyful things in life when we see and hear of so much trouble contention, trouble, and even violence and evil. So much of what we read in the news and on social media is focused on political differences, and violence of so many kinds.   This morning I was listening to the recent talk given by Elder Quentin L Cook in the October 2025 General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and this particular comment stood out to me:  

"As we contemplate the challenges of our day, we must remember that the Savior, during His earthly ministry, also lived in turbulent and violent times.  His focus was not on the political challenges of the day; it was on the perfection of the Saints."

Yes, the Savior focused on going about teaching and doing good.  It's hard most days to keep the focus where it should be and to not be overly troubled by things we have very little control over.   We need to focus on what we do have control over . . . our own words and deeds and actions.  Yes, we may need to speak up at times for what is good and true and right, but most of all we need to focus on doing good with our own lives whenever and wherever we can and adding as much light and goodness to the world as we can.  Here's a video of the talk for those of you who would like to watch and listen:  

Jesus Went About Doing Good -- Thoughts For A New Year

photo source 

 A week ago Thursday I was asked if I would speak in our church ward/congregation's Sacrament Meeting worship service this past Sunday.   Of course I agreed to do so, always feeling that I shouldn't ever turn down such an apportunity as long as I am able to do so, even though this only gave me a few days to prepare.  I asked for a suggestion of topic for the talk, and was given several suggestions.   The first one was the recent talk given by Elder Patrick Kearon in the October 2025 General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints  The first line of his talk,  "Jesus went about doing good," jumped right out at me as this phrase has been coming to my mind often the past few months.   All of my life I have been taught to follow the example of Jesus Christ, and of course most days I try, and every day I fall short.  Isn't that basically what life is all about?  Trying to do good, and falling short, but in the meantime hopefully we are making a difference.   

How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. 

Acts 10:38

Elder Kearon expounded on how this phrase is an enormous understatement, and that Jesus Christ is the very essense and source of goodness.  He knows each of us personally as our Savior, all of our strengths and our weaknesses, and yet he calls to each of us to come and follow him.   I feel the struggle, and yet, I have chosen this phrase as my motto for the coming year of 2026 -- He Went About Doing Good.  I believe that the talk went well, and several who were there mentioned the same to me.  One of my friends sent me an email this past week sharing a memory of a time when a very small act of mine towards her had made a difference and meant a lot to her.  I had forgotten about that incident, and her kind act of sharing the memory with me was also an example of her going about doing good.

How can I best use my time, my talents, my energy and my finances during 2026?  I hope to check in with my Heavenly Father and the Savior each morning and each evening throughout the year during my daily prayers, to ask for help in recognizing what good I can do each day.  Each week as I attend church and partake of the sacrament will be another time to reflect on how I am doing, as will the times that I attend the temple.  I hope to trust in the Lord to guide me and to use my faith to let God prevail in my life this coming year. 

Do you have a phrase or word or theme for the coming year?  I hope everyone can have faith that the best is yet to come!

The Last Project From JoAnn's

 

So a few days ago I finished my first sewing/quilting project for the year, or actually for several years, a couple of little doll quilts. I started the quilts about a year and a half ago?    They each measure about 18" X 26" and had previously been machine quilted, so all that was left was the binding.   I had to refresh my memory about doing mitered corners, so watched a short youtube video on my phone before I sat down to sew.  I didn't turn off the youtube, so started listening to the next video that came up, and realized that it was quite a long video tribute/history of the JoAnn Fabric company.  It was very interesting, almost 2 hours long, and by the time it was finished, I was finished with my binding task.  (Yes,  I did the binding on the machine, but am out of practice and  needed to do all of the measuring and pressing and sewing etc, and please don't look too closely at the corners.  They are far from perfect.)  

It wasn't too far into the video/sewing project that I came to realize that this fabric and batting and probably the thread too, were probably the last project supplies I had purchased from JoAnn's.  Yes, I'm sure that I picked up some paint and other dodads during Joann's clearance weeks, but the fabrics for this project was purchased before most of us were aware of the store's immenent demise.  

At any rate, if you have a couple of hours to watch/listen to a youtube video, perhaps while working on a sewing project, I would recommend this informative and  touching video, posted below. 

Were you a regular customer of JoAnn's?  What are some of your final projects/purchases from  the store?

The House of the Lord

It's the day after Christmas, boxing day.  How are you doing?  Were you able to relax and enjoy time with family and friends?  Do you feel a bit let down after all of the hustle and bustle or getting ready?  Or has it been a trying time for you this year; perhaps most years?  Or are you still in the middle of all the hustle and bustle of the holiday?  To tell the truth, I'm a bit tired, and I always feel a bit of a let down after all of the busyness of preparing for Christmas, trying to go about doing good, remembering to do all the things and reach out to all of the people.  This year has been harder than most as I know of several people who are going through difficult things that I can't do much to help or resolve.    The plan for this week after Christmas is usually to relax a bit, maybe read a good book, clean up a bit, and set a few goals, and do some service if I can.  Last night I was able to reserve a time slot to visit The House of the Lord this morning, and also last night I found this Instagram post where Elder David A Bednar encourages parents, and I would say all of us, to refer to our temples as The House of the Lord. 

We refer to the temple as the House of the Lord

"Now I have a recommendation for everyone who may be listening, that as often as may be feasible, we refer to the temple as The House of the Lord.  President Nelson, early in his service as president taught us the importance of using the correct name of the church and it feels different when you refer to the Church of Jesus  Christ of Latter Day Saints.  Now there's nothing wrong with the word temple, but it's different when you say The House of the Lord. So that very thing, imagine you're rearing a child and temple is the word they hear, but The House of the Lord is the phrase that they hear the most that will have an impact on them as they grown up."

David A Bednar

Here is another quote by Elder Bednar:

More than ever, we are in need of the power and strength that comes through our covenant connection to the Lord Jesus Christ.   We do not come to the temple to hide from or escape the evils of the world.  Rather, we come to the temple to receive the power of godliness through priesthood ordinances that enables us to confront and conquer the world of evil."

Elder David A Bednar, Facebook, May 23. 2022, facebook.com/davida.bednar

So has this morning's trip to the temple solved all of my worries, dissolved my post-Christmas blues, and removed the challenges from the lives of my family and friends?  No, it hasn't.  But it did feel good to visit The House of the Lord, and to feel welcomed there.  I love the Lord and enjoy every visit I make to his house. Though my service wasn't perfect, and my concentration and thoughts wandered at times, I was able to serve a distant relative who had never had the opportunity to enter The House of the Lord during her lifetime.   Hopefully that small bit of service has added some small bit of light to this troubled world.  This has been a good year for me with 39 opportunities to visit The House of the Lord.  I believe this has been a record year with more visits than other year since my first visit to the Salt Lake Temple 44 years ago.  I'm grateful for this blessing in my life.  

And now I will attempt to tackle some of my plans for the week, and attempt to go about doing some good.  Wishing you all a happy and peaceful boxing day.         

Marcy

The Christ Child: A Nativity

 

Merry Christmas Everyone!

May you and your family be blessed with peace and love and the light of Christ.

If you or loved ones are struggling, remember that lighter, brighter days are ahead.  

Scriptures of the Day December 22, 2025

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them:  and they were sore afraid.  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddnely there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 

Luke 2: 8-14

 Therefore, there shall be one day and a night and a day, as if it were one day and there were no night, and this shall be unto you for a sign; for ye shall know of the rising of the sun and also of its setting; therefore they shall know of a surety that there shall be two days and a night; nevertheless the night shall not be darkened; and it shall be the night before he is born.  

Helaman 14:4

Trust in God and Seek Divine Help
One of the most significant of God's helps for His faithful children is the gift of the Holy Ghost.
President Dallin H. Oaks 

April 2025 General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

Christmas Church Services -- More Wonderful Music Today

 In many Christian Churches, it is traditional to attend services on Christmas Eve or on Christmas Day.  In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we only have a worship service on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day if either day happens to fall on a Sunday, and then the services are limited to our Sacrament Meeting, with no Sunday School, Primary (for children) Relief Society (the women's auxiliary) Young Women (for the youth) or Priesthood (for the men) meetings being held.    We do have other Christmas related activities or concerts or dinners or other events during the Christmas season, depending on what is planned in  each individual area. 

In our ward congregation this morning we had a special Sacrament Meeting that featured several different congregational hymns and other special musical numbers.   We don't currently have an official choir, but I really did enjoy today's meeting, listening to the wonderful musical numbers performed by friends and neighbors.  Here are the songs that were included in today's program (links are not to our program but to videos of the songs we enjoyed, performed by others.)  

Oh Come All Ye Faithful 

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

O Come, O Come Emmanuel

When Joseph Went to Bethlehem

Picture a Christmas

Hark, The Herald Angels Sing

Mary, Did You KNow

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

What Child is This

Joy to the World

Silent Night

DD1 and DD2 and I had the blessing of being able to attend the Christmas Concert of The Tabernacle Choir on Temple Square earlier this month featuring guest artists Stephanie Block and Sebastian Arcelus.  It was beautiful as usual, and helped to put us into the Christmas Spirit.  Last weekend our coungregation had our annual Christmas dinner and the local high school madigral group came and performed.  Even the wiggly young children were enthralled by their performacne.   As per tradition, we also plan to spend some time as a family singing some of our favorite Christmas Carols as part of our Christmas Eve celebration here at home.  It doesn't really matter the venue, nor the performer.  Christmas music is always magical to me.  

What Christmas Music  traditions do you have?  What are your favorite Christmas songs?

The Christmas Study Plan

photo source

I'm a bit late posting this, since this Christmas Study Plan shared by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints actually starts with suggested reading for the days of December 19th through December 25th.   In this previous post from November 30th I shared inforamtion about the Light The World  program that shares so many ways that you and I and others can bring the light of the Christmas Season to others.  There are many ideas of fun ways to bring joy to others and to yoursefl throughout the month of December.   Here are links to the different study plans if you'd like to follow along:

Prophets Foretold the Birth of Jesus -- December 19th

An Angel Appeared to Mary and Joseph -- December 20th

Elisabeth Bore John, and Zacharias Testified -- December 21st

Angels Announced Jesus's Birth to the Shepherds -- December 22nd

The Lord Provides a Night Without Darkness in the Americas -- December 23rd

Jesus Christ Was Born and Presented in the Temple -- Decedmber 24th

The Wise Men Worshiped Jesus and Gave Gifts -- December 25th

Our family is finding this study plan as a great way to bring the true spirit of Christmas into this busy pre-Christmas week as we take the time each evening to read the words and stories from scriptures surrounding the miracle of Jesus's birth.   And of course, on Christmas Eve we also plan to spend some extra time singing some of our favorite Christmas Carols before hanging our stockings and heading to bed.    How do you bring the true spirit of Christmas into your life and home?

Scripture and Music of the Day December 18, 2025

 Pray in your families unto the Father, always in my name, that your wives and your children may be blessed. 

3 Nephi 18:21

And as surely as the Lord liveth, will he gather in from the four quarters of the earth all the remnant of the seed of Jacob, who are scattered abroad upon all the face of the earth.

And as he hath covenanted with all the house of Jacob, even so shall the covenant wherewith he hath covenanted with the house of Jacob be fulfilled in his own due time, unto the restoring all the house of Jacob unto the knowledge of the covenant that he hath covenanted with them.

And then shall they know their Redeemer, who is Jesus Christ, the Son of God; and then shall they be gathered in from the four quarters of the earth unto their own lands, from whence they have been dispersed; yea as the Lord liveth so shall it be.  Amen. 

3 Nephi 5: 24-26

Ultimately, how we live may be the best, most genuine form of worship. 

Worship
Elder D Todd Christofferson
April 2025 General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Oh Come All Ye Faithful -- The Crosby Family

Dance of the Suger Plum Fairy -- Brooklyn Duo Family Edition

Scriptures of the Day December 17, 2025 -- Love, Charity and Virtue

 Behold, their husbands love their wives, and their wives love their husbands; and their husbands and their wives love their children; and their unbelief and their hatred towards you is because of the iniquity of their fathers; wherefore, how much better are you than they in the eyes of God? 

Jacob 3:7

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. 

Moroni 7:48

 As we diligently seek to have charity and virtue fill our lives, our confidence in approaching God will increase . . . Then, as we go to our Heavenly Father with increasing confidence, we will be filled with more joy, and your faith in Jesus Christ will increase.  We will begin to experience spiritual power that exceeds our greatest hopes. 

President Russell M Nelson
Confidence in the Presence of God
April 2025 General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Scriptures For Today December 16, 2025 (I missed posting a few days this week)

 And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children

Isaiah 54:13

And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

Deuteronomy 6:7

And they did fortify themselves against their enemies; and they did dwell in one land, and in one body, and they did fear the words which had been spoken by Lachoneus, insomuch that they did repent of all their sins; and they did  put up their prayers unto the Lord their God, that he would deliver them in the time that their enemies should come down against them to battle. 

3 Nephi 3:25

And last but definitely not least, probably my very favorite article of faith:

We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul--We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things.  If there is anything virtuous, lovely or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

Articles of Faith 1:13

Conference Talk for the Day --- Draw Near Unto Me

 

You may remember the Lord's promise to Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon when they were away form their families on His errands:  "My friends Sidney and Joseph, your families are well; they are in mine hands, and I will do with them as seemeth me good; for in me there is all power."

As you bind up the wounds of those in need, the Lord's power will sustain you.  His arms will be outstretched with yours to succor and bless the dhildren of our Heavenly Father.

Every covenant servant of Jesus Christ will receive His direction from the Spirit as they bless and serve others for HIm.  Then they will feel the Savior's love and find joy in being drawn closer to Him.

Draw Near Unto Me April 2025 General Conference
Henry B. Eyring 
General Conference of the C hurch of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

What Christmas Music Am I listening to tonight?

 I'm listening to Enya Christmas 2026 for the most relaxing Christmas Music:

If you're in the mood for something a bit more lively,  listen to the Pentatonix Christmas Album 2026

And to top it off, listen to one of my favorites,  Claire Crosby's Silent Night duet with President Russell M Nelson five years ago:

Scriptures of the Day -- December 10, 2025

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. 

Articles of Faith 1:5

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.

As a Little Child
President Jeffrey R Holland
April 2025 General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints