I have learned in a very personal way that God is real. He loves us. He listens. The best way to know this, is simply to put His amazing “free wireless service” to the test any time of the day or night. Amazingly, the more we use it, the clearer our reception gets. Continue reading
Bill Betz & Lauren Elizabeth
A touching story from Haiti of love, and tender mercies. Texas Medical Student Bill Betz and his wife Amy have been married for 5 years and unable to conceive a child. When Bill was asked by his professor to join a medical relief team to Haiti after Jan. 12th’s devestating earthquake, the couple felt an impression that a little girl was waiting for Bill to find, and adopt. What followed was a miraculous journey, and a daughter named Lauren Elizabeth. Video attached. Full story can be read at DeseretNews.com
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
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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
By now nearly all the world is aware of the devastating 7.0 earthquake hitting Port-au-Prince, Haiti on Tuesday. It’s been heart-wrenching to see the images and stories of destruction and desperation through media report . It’s hard to resist the intense desire to just rush to the airport, and book the next flight to HELP somehow!! Ironically, this generous spirit of charity has actually caused problems. As Haiti Aid Begins to Arrive, it is proving too much, and too fast for the poor Haitian airport and ground support to handle. What an agonizing Catch 22! It is nice to have trusted sources providing simple ways to get involved, such as LDS Philanthropies, or the Red Cross (including - Texting “Haiti” to 90999).
Rescued
Amid all of this chaos and heartbreak, thankfully there have been stories of survival and hope, adding a positive perspective. I was particularly touched to hear that large groups are gathering and singing songs of praise together! What a beautiful testament to the faith and heart of the people of Haiti. We were also relieved to learn that All LDS Missionaries In Haiti Are Safe - and that LDS Church Humanitarian Aid mobilized and shipped within 12 hours - with aid continuing to progress. This gives balm to the troubled heart. I know from past experience with large-scale tragedy, there will be many more miraculous and heartwarming stories to hear in the future. But, during these beginning stages of disaster, the negative usually far outweighs positive. Being able to see the whole picture is filtered through a slow motion lens.
Pres. Uchtdorf
I have reflected on the most recent lead article in the January issue of the LDS Liahona Magazine. This publication is the church’s globally distributed magazine – a sister publication to the North American ‘Ensign Magazine’. The First Presidency Message for the month of January 2010 is interstingly enough entitled Hold On A Little Longer written by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf.
His message of hope seems especially appropriate, and even prophetic. I would like to direct his words specifically to all suffering due to the Haiti tragedy:
“…hold on a little longer—even when things look bleak. Know and remember this: the Lord loves you. He remembers you. And He will ever sustain those who “endure in faith to the end” (D&C 20:25).
You are continually in my thoughts and my prayers. May you each find peace amid the chaos. May you hold tight to your faith, and feel strength in singing praise and hymns together. May you feel the Savior’s love for you individually, and experience tender mercies. May those who are desperately and tirelessly working to send aid reach you as quickly as possible! And may God work His mighty miracles in this hour of great need.
This is my prayer – Your sister, MoSop
video courtesy Libera.uk.org
LDS Tongan Temple
On Thurs. Jan 7, 2010 [Wed Jan 6 in North America] a baby boy was born in the LDS (Mormon) Nuku’alofa Tonga Temple. The circumstances surrounding this unusual occurance were nothing short of miraculous. Mormon Soprano has received permission from all parties involved to share the story with you, as told by Sister Frederika ten Hoopen (“Sister Teni”), serving as an LDS Sister Missionary Nurse in Tonga:
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“I went to the [Tonga] Temple last night. I had taken my watch off at home (something the brethern have asked us to do), so I ended up leaving 20 minutes earlier than usual, and arrived early, [about 6:30 PM] planning to attend the 7:00 PM session. As I was entering, the brothers at the desk said they needed a nurse urgently, and asked me to go into the waiting room!
Tonga Temple
“What I did not know at the time of my arrival is that the phones and internet had gone down at the temple, and no one could call out. The Acting [Temple] President had tried to find me, but no one knew where I was, as I am now working as a proseletyzing missionary. He began to fervently pray for me to come to the 7:00 temple session, and had just completed his prayer when I walked in the door.
“When I entered [the temple waiting room], there was the mommy sitting in a wheelchair in all her white [clothing] and she had already delivered most of the baby. I was very concerned about the baby, and felt the tremendous urging of the spirit prompting me as to what to do. I give all the praise to the Lord! I had to scoop him out of her [undergarments] and turn him over to get him to breathe, and then came that famous cry! They do not have twist ties in Tonga, so I asked for scissors, and elastic bands. I cut the cord and put the elastic bands on. All this time, Sister Clayton [a temple worker] was helping me, as she has had 8 children and many grandchildren! We lifted the mother out of the wheelchair and onto the floor where I delivered the placenta (afterbirth). It took a few pushes and I needed to help it along, but finally it came. In Tonga, the family takes the afterbirth and ceremonially buries it, so it was important to have it preserved.
proud parents with Sister Teni holding the baby
“The mother of the baby’s name is Ati. She is a teacher here in Liahona, and had just returned from BYU Hawaii where she had been taking a course. Her due date was set as February 14th, and she had seen her doctor the night before she came to the temple [with everything appearing on schedule]. She and her husband decided to attend a session at the temple together, where she went into labor without warning. Her husband was by her side the whole time of the delivery.
“I could hardly believe it, but the birth only took 20 minutes for all of this to happen from beginning to end! At this point, the ambulance arrived and took mother & baby to the hospital, and all was well! In the meantime, I noticed that I never got one drop of blood, or anything on me! I was able to wash up, get ready for the session, and attend just as planned!
Sister Teni, Mommy Ati & Baby Teni Keleitoni Temipale and Sister Clayton
“The next morning [Sister Clayton] and I went to the Hospital to see the baby. Mom and Dad were waiting for us. They [gave us a great honor] and asked us to name their baby. His name will be “Teni Keleitoni Temipale“, which is the Tongan translation for our names, [ten Hoopen & Clayton] plus the Temple.
“I joined the church 11 years ago in New York City, which has changed my life forever. This was another incredible blessing, to be of some small service in the Kingdom.
I have a testimony that the Atonement can heal all ills of this society, and the world! I share these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
With Love, Sister Teni (ten Hoopen)”
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Sister Teni’s life is also a miraculous story. She was born and raised in Canada, and moved to New York City in 1980. She joined the LDS Church in 1998, and three months after her baptism, travelled by train with her two boys to live in Utah. A little over a year ago, she chose to serve at her own expense as a single Senior Missionary. She was originally called to the Samoa mission, but one week before arriving at the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah her assignment was changed to be the Missionary Nurse in Tonga. After arriving in Tonga, her mission President sent her to serve in Niua – more famously known as “The Other Side of Heaven“, and became the first white (palangi) single Sister Missionary to serve there. Delivering a baby at the Temple is just one of the many miraculous and unique experiences of her missionary service. She is beloved by the Tongan people:
[Sister Teni] is truly a remarkable and wonderful example of Heavenly Father’s answer to many prayers. The lives she’s touched, the miracle of her being here in Tonga, that’s another story all together! She has escaped near death, survived a typhoon [the Tsunami that hit Niua in September] nursed the survivors, healed and witnessed a true miracle, baptized families, delivered a baby in a Temple, and saved one person I know very well–literally saved their life. She is an answer to prayers, my very own Angel, and quite a few others feel that way, too!
- Sister Kathleen Peaua, a Latter-day Saint living in Tonga
We thank Sister Frederika ten Hoopen (“Sister Teni”) for her selfless service, and for sharing her story and testimony with us. We also welcome baby Teni Keleitoni Temipale to the world, and extend best wishes to his family!
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
Prayer is one of the most fundamental aspects of my spirituality, and relationship with God. My parents taught me to pray before I could even speak the words. However, as I grew, and practiced the habit of offering daily simple prayers to my Father in Heaven, my words and feelings matured, and my spiritual communion deepened.
Mormons are a praying people. We do not say rote or memorized prayers, but rather speak from the heart. We talk to God as a child would to their father, with respectful intimacy. We pray when we awake in the morning. We pray before each meal. We pray at the opening and closing of each church related meeting and activity. We pray before travelling a long distance. We pray as a family at least once each day, and we offer private prayers. We pray at the close of day before retiring for bed.
Why so much praying?
Put simply; it is a commandment from God to ‘pray always’ (Luke 21:36; 2 Nephi 32:9; D&C 10:5; 90:24). And, because we believe in God, we take His commandments seriously. We also pray as an outward expression of our faith in God, and our acknowledgement of His hand in every aspect of our lives.
Multiple times throughout his ministry, our Savior, 
Jesus Christ emphasized the importance of praying to Our Father in Heaven. Jesus offered very powerful prayers – many of which are recorded in the Bible, such as The Lord’s Prayer, and The Great Intercessory Prayer, for us to read, treasure, and exemplify.
We are taught to pray ‘vocally as well as in [our] heart;. . . before the world as well as in secret, in public as well as in private’ (D&C 19:28)”.
There have been many times in my life when I have cried out in prayer to God silently in my heart. Those informal, urgent prayers have been answered in marvelous and immediate ways. Sometimes, the answer has come as a calm reassurance, or a peaceful feeling. And there have been times when the answer has been more dramatic. There is one thing I am certain of – God is our loving Father in Heaven. He hears our prayers, and I believe He is anxious to answer us. Usually, answers come in ways we do not expect, and sometimes do not like – but always in the way we need most.
David A. Bednar, LDS Apostle
“I testify that prayer becomes more meaningful as we counsel with the Lord in all of our doings, as we express heartfelt gratitude, and as we pray for others with real intent and a sincere heart. I witness Heavenly Father lives and that He hears and answers every earnest prayer.” – David A. Bednar, “Pray Always,” Ensign, Nov. 2008, 44
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.
There are many names and titles for Jesus Christ. One of them is ”The Light“. He is referred to multiple times in the scriptures as “The Light of the world“, ”The Light of Men” and “The True Light“.
In addition to Jesus being the light, those who choose to follow him are promised to receive a portion of his light individually and collectively, and thus also become a light to the world.
“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16
Although we cannot see Jesus physically right now, we can feel the warmth and power of his presence within us. 
Described as light, the power of Christ encompasses feelings and emotions which Continue reading
F. Enzio Busche
F. Enzio Busche was born in Dortmund, Germany. He led an idyllic life in the country for a few short years. In 1939 – when Enzio was just nine years old – the first English bomb fell on Dortmund, and his childhood ended. Years of devastating war, family turmoil, and despair began. Enzio was conscripted into Hitler’s army at the tender age of 14, and taken as a prisoner of war just months later. He endured fear, hunger and countless trials. After the war, in his early twenties, Enzio faced a new battle when he contracted a debilitating liver disease. As he lay dying in his hospital bed, he experienced a personal conversion to Jesus Christ, and a miraculous healing. Afterwards, he and his wife Jutta searched for God’s will in their life. They sought answers to their many religious questions.
“I told the Lord we wanted to find his church,” Busche recalls. “I knew that the earlier followers of Christ had been persecuted, so I told the Lord that it didn’t matter if his was an obscure church, even a ridiculed church.”
After that prayer, the overwhelming peace Enzio had felt in the hospital returned. Several weeks later, two Latter-day Saint missionaries stood on the Busches’ doorstep offering a spiritual message. Enzio and Jutta listened to the missionaries, studied the church, and were baptised two years later. They became humble and faithful members, serving in leadership capacities all of their lives. Elder Busche was often invited to speak. His theme centered on peace and happiness:
“Many are starving spiritually. We must feed the spiritual part of our being by learning to distinguish and search for the Spirit in all matters of our daily lives. Life is not meant to be easy, but when we are filled with the Spirit that Heavenly Father gives us as we live according to our covenants, we will be full of joy no matter what happens.”
When Elder F. Enzio Busche spoke to the student-body at Brigham Young University, the title of his talk was ”Unleashing The Dormant Spirit“. In this illustrated video, we hear Enzio’s wise instruction on how to keep a joyful soul, no matter what.
The holy scriptures teach that there is a great battle being waged for the souls of mankind. The forces of good and the forces of evil surround us. Often, the physical battles related in the scriptures are symbolic of the spiritual battles we each must fight in order to stay on the straight and narrow path, following our Savior, Jesus Christ. Along our path, we must make choices that will either draw us farther away, or bring us closer to light and truth.
In the MoSop Movie below you will see images depicting two battle stories found in The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. In 72 BC, an invading force threatened to destroy the entire Nephite nation. Their military leader, Captain Moroni, united his people quickly by tearing his coat and writing upon it all of the things worth fighting for (family, wives, children, freedom, and God). He hoisted this “Title of Liberty” upon a staff, and waved it throughout the land rallying his people to victory.
Ten years later, the country is once again threatened. This time, defences are weak, the soldiers are worn down and discouraged. They are in critical need of reinforcement. A leader named Helaman recruits 2,000 young men called the”Stripling Warriors“ . These young boys fearlessly march into battle to defend the freedom of their family and country. Despite daunting odds, the inexperienced youth are victorious. Their faith never wavers, and not one is lost in battle. These men explain to Helaman that they trusted in the words and prayers of their mothers. They believed that Christ would deliver them and strengthen them, no matter how difficult their task.
Today, faithful Latter-day Saints of all ages go out into the world to share the restored gospel message. 
Just like Helaman’s little army, they have limited experience, and face daunting challenges. However they go forth with faith. They trust that Christ will strengthen them no matter how difficult their task. At their own expense, they willingly sacrifice their time to share the things that matter most with any who will listen. These valiant individuals are bringing needed reinforcement of hope and peace to the world.
It is Jesus Christ who will strengthen each soul during our individual battles of life. He has promised that He will magnify our efforts as we go forth to serve our fellow men and make the world a better place.
The text for the song ”Fight The Good Fight” is taken from passages by the Apostle Timothy:
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness..and not to me only, but [unto all] that love his appearing.” – 2 Tim 4: 7-8
The Apostle Paul taught exactly HOW to prepare ourselves for battle against the forces of evil:
“Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
“Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness…and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked…and the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”
“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;…that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel.” - Ephesians 6:10-20
To learn more about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, our missionary work, and The Book of Mormon, go to Mormon.org
