The following story was told by Elder M. Russell Ballard, Apostle in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:
[In 1990] I had the privilege of participating in the Washington, D.C. Visitors’ Center Christmas lighting celebration. When I turned on the 200,000 lights, they seemed to dance and sparkle in the trees, with the majestic temple glowing in the background.
That night, outside of their Soviet community for the first time, Continue reading
This has been a hard week, with a lot of tragedy in the news. I don’t know about you, but my soul has felt pretty battered. Perhaps that’s what made hearing a beautiful hymn played by a gifted artist on a magical flute all the more sweeter today. My soul was touched. My hope was renewed. And, my faith and confidence in the world was restored. Continue reading
On January 22, 2010 The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued an official statement on Haiti, urging its members to Help. This video features the text of that statement, combined with images from Haiti, and set to the LDS Hymn
DO GOOD! – DONATE at give.lds.org/emergencyresponse
~~~~~
Video courtesy HaveYouDoneAnyGood Channel
David Foster
When Grammy-award winning songwriter and producer David Foster collaborated with Grammy-award winner Carole Bayer Sager to write ”The Prayer“, it was a match made in heaven. Their song debuted in the 1998 animated film Quest for Camelot, and went on to win a Golden Globe for Best Original Song. Written with lyrics in both English and Italian, ”The Prayer” was first recorded as a duet between Celine Dion & Andrea Bocelli. In 2008 it was recorded by Dion & Josh Groban, and in 2009 Groban and Bocelli gave a memorable performance at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards. Over the years this song has been translated into many languages, and recorded by multiple artists. It also likely ranks as a “top hit” to be belted out in the privacy of showers and automobiles everywhere.
As our hearts are aching for the people of Haiti, and so many other sorrows throughout the world both public and private, I cannot think of a better time to offer up this musical prayer for peace, love, safety and comfort.
For Info on this recording click here / Video courtesy MoTabChoir01
“The Prayer” Lyrics
I pray you’ll be our eyes
And watch us where we go
And help us to be wise
In times when we don’t know
Let this be our prayer
As we go our way
Lead us to a place
Guide us with your Grace
To a place where we’ll be safe
La luce che tu dai
I pray we’ll find your light
Nel cuore restera
And hold it in our hearts
A ricordarci che
When stars go out each night
L’eterna stella sei
Nella mia preghiera
Let this be our prayer
Quanta fede c’e
When shadows fill our day
Lead us to a place
Guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we’ll be safe.
Sogniamo un mondo senza piu violenza
Un mondo di giustizia e di speranza
Ognuno dia la mano al suo vicino
Simbolo di pace e di fraternita
La forza che ci dai
We ask that life be kind
E’il desiderio che
And watch us from above
Ognuno trovi amore
We hope each soul will find
Intorno e dentro a se
Another soul to love
Let this be our prayer
Just like every child
Needs to find a place,
Guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we’ll be safe
E la fede che
Hai acceso in noi
Sento che ci salvera
Statistically speaking, the days that follow Christmas and other year-end holiday celebrations show a higher spike in depression and suicide. Today’s post is is a new 9 minute video from MormonMessages which offers some insight and solace. Produced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the message comes from a talk by LDS apostle Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, originally given at a CES Fireside at Brigham Young Univeristy on Sept. 7, 2008 - entitled “Lessons From Liberty Jail“, combined with beautiful photography, and touching movie clips. It stands as a powerful reminder that we are never really alone, and there is always hope. I encourage you to watch!
Look To The Light: A Message of Hope
”On The 11st Day of Christmas, as Mo’s Countdown posts increase“
…It’s time for some Heavenly Peace
Hush,
The Baby Sleeps
In the arms of His loving mother.
The night is still
And the beasts of the stable
Hover near
In soundless adoration.Hush,
The world’s asleep
In the dreams of this loving Infant,
And our hearts are still
In boundless adoration.Sleep, Child, sleep
Your sleep of purity.
Sleep, world, sleep
In God’s Security.- Van Varner, published in Guideposts Greetings
As we prepare to commemorate the anniversary of September 11, 2001 – one of America’s saddest days, there is opportunity for reflection, healing and peace. In this powerful video, survivor Victor Guzman describes his personal journey from the tragedy and trauma of 9/11, to hope, healing, and renewal.
Created by Mormon Messages
Quentin L Cook
This life is not always easy, nor was it meant to be. It is a time of testing and proving. When we are having a particularly hard time, and things seem unbearable, we can be assured that we are not alone. There is One who will bear our burdens, and hold us in His arms.
This video illustrates an excerpt of LDS apostle Quentin L. Cook’s talk entitled “Hope Ya Know, We Had A Hard Time” given at the Church General Conference in October 2008.
In light of the “pandemic panic” which is presently creeping through our nation, and the world, I think it is important to step back, and put things into proper perspective.
Nothing captures the imagination like a new scourge, and too often we worry about remote risks while ignoring real dangers…The best antidote for this kind of fear is the facts – Marc Seigel, MD, NYU School of Medicine
Let’s take a look at just a few of those facts. Globally in developed countries the yearly leading cause of death is Heart Disease (over 3 million) , and in Developing Countries: HIV/AIDS (over 2 1/2 Million) In America alone, the average annual death rate from heart disease is over 650,000. Cancer: 550,000. Our alcohol related deaths are over 75,000. And regular old influenza and pneumonia: anywhere from 36,000 to upwards of 64,000 nationally (due to conflicting data). Now, contrast that with the recent “Swine Flu” tally. Mexico = a few hundred. USA = 1. A Mexican toddler visiting Texas, who contracted the virus in Mexico and had “underlying health problems”.
Bottom Line: No Need To Panic.
What the world needs now is healing by staying calm, and coming together. That can only happen if we refuse to buy into the media rumor mongering. We must reject panic & fear, and embrace peace & faith. Continue reading
