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When a Latter-day Saint child is old enough to graduate from Nursery class to the Primary program, they will soon mark their right of passage by receiving their very own CTR Ring. I remember the day my primary teacher gave me my first ring. I proudly ran through the chapel to show it off to my mother. Continue reading
In honor of this weekend’s 180th Semi-Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, let’s explore one of the most popular hymns often sung during the event, entitled “The Morning Breaks“. 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
Today we share a timely Mormon Messages musical video about love. The song entitled ”Love One Another” is a favorite Latter-day Saint Hymn written in 1961 by Luacine Clark Fox [1914-2002]. It is performed here by Debra Fotheringham and Russ Dixon [lead singer of the band "Colors"].
Happy Valentines Day!
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
MoSop on a Nature Walk
Recently I have been taking nature walks during my lunch hour. Not only has this been refreshing to my mind and body, but also to my soul. I started carrying my camera with me on these afternoon adventures, and ended up with quite a collection of photos! Looking at them has filled me with gratitude for this beautiful world we live in. I realize more each day just how much we owe our Savior, Jesus Christ. He has truly given all light, life and hope to this amazing earth. Thinking about it fills my heart with joy. And naturally, I wish to share it. Thus, I have created a video for you to enjoy these images (all but 3 are my own). The music is Mack Wilberg’s arrangement of the Hymn “There is Sunshine In My Soul Today“.
Have a wonderful, sunny day!
This past weekend I was archiving files on my computer, and I discovered some photos I took in July 2008. One image in particular has captured my attention. If a “picture is worth a thousand words” then this one certainly tells a beautiful story. It symbolizes all that I am personally thankful for – evoking words such as:
God. Family. Home. Country. Freedom. Worship. Life, and Eternity.
I remember that walk. It was a beautiful late summer afternoon. I lingered, and eventually the light began to fade. As I walked past the cemetary, I happened to turn and look back toward the LDS Temple nestled on the hill. At that moment, I saw the rays of the setting sun shimmering through the American flag, and the temple prominently settled in the background. I snapped a photo. At some point I downloaded the image to my computer, and then forgot about it. Until today.
This photo makes my heart swell with gratitude. I am grateful to our forefathers who sacrificed everything, including their very lives to build a country where men and women would be free to worship according the dictates of their own conscience. Through their courage & determination, and with divine assistance, they made that dream a reality. Likewise, I am grateful for my Mormon ancestors who sacrificed everything, including their very lives, to build a haven in the West. They desired a place where they could worship according the the dictates of their conscience, and raise their children free from persecution, terror, mob violence and fear. Through their courage & determination, and with divine assistance, they made that dream a reality.
If those pioneers and forefathers could have seen into the future, to our day, what would they have thought? Certainly, they could be amazed at how our nation has grown, and at our advances in medicine and technology. They could marvel at all of our modern conveniences, our tall buildings and rapid transportation. However, perhaps they might see something less impressive, and disconcerting. They would see that beyond all of our surface comfort and wealth, there lies a collective soul in bankruptcy.
Where is our courage and determination? How are we safegarding the religious freedoms they fought so hard to establish and preserve? What personal sacrifices are we making on behalf of our future generations? What legacy are we striving to leave?
In general, as 21st Century beings, we have become so distracted by our “pursuit of happiness”, we seem to be forgetting the things that matter most.
Bishop Burton
The current conventional wisdom is that more is better and less is usually undesirable. For some, the pursuit to acquire more of this world’s goods and services has become a passion. For others, more of this world’s wealth is necessary just to sustain life or raise living standards to a minimum level. The unbridled desire for more often has tragic consequences…
It is hard to say no to more, when you can afford to say yes. Parents are rightfully anxious about the future. It is difficult to say no to more sports equipment, electronics, lessons, clothes, team participation, et cetera, when parents believe more will help children thrive in an increasingly competitive world. Young people seem to want more, partly because there is infinitely more to catch their eye. The American Academy of Pediatrics estimated that American children see more than 40,000 commercials a year. – Bishop H. David Burton, – “More Holiness Give Me” Oct. 2004
One of my favorite hymns was penned by the revered Evangelist composer Philip Paul Bliss (1838-1876), entitled “More Holiness Give Me“. It is found in many congregational hymnbooks – including the Latter-day Saints. The song is written as a plea to heaven for a list of virtues.
P.P. Bliss
The virtues expressed in “More Holiness Give Me” fall into several groups. Some are personal goals, like more faith, gratitude, and purity…Others center on adversity, [such as] patience in suffering, and strength to overcome…The rest firmly anchor us to our Savior…more blessed and holy; and more, Savior, like Thee. More of these virtues is better. Less is not desirable.
As I gaze at my photo, I can hear this hymn clearly in my mind. There is a certain line that particularly stands out…”More Freedom From Earth-Stains“… I offer a prayer in my heart for my family, my country and its citizens whom I love so much, and for the entire world to receive More Freedom. Oh, how I pray we will seek more of holiness, and we will turn to the One who can cleanse, heal and protect us in this time of great need. The truth is undeniable:
More Holiness offers More Freedom.
An Arrangement of Phillip Paul Bliss’ hymn by Michelle Willis. Performed by the BYU-Idaho Womens Choir, directed by Kathryn Ricks Willis.
Rev. Roberts
Many are familiar with the National Anthem of the United States of America, however did you know there is also a National Hymn?
Daniel C. Roberts (1841–1907) was a 35 year-old rector of a rural Episcopalian church in Brandon, Vermont when he wrote the text to the hymn “God Of Our Fathers”. He did this as a gift for his congregation to sing in celebration of the American Centennial of 1876. The original tune used was (ironically) entitled RUSSIAN HYMN.
In 1892, the Episcopal General Commission approved the hymn as a submission, and printed it anonymously in its annual report. At that time, Rev. Dr. Tucker, who was the editor of the Hymnal, and George W. Warren, an organist in New York City, were commissioned to choose a hymn for the celebration of the Centennial of the United States Constitution. They chose Rev. Robert’s text and Rev. Warren wrote a new tune for it, which he titled NATIONAL HYMN. This new arrangement included a bold trumpet fanfare, which has remained a standard.
“I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.” Psalm 63:30
“God of Our Fathers Whose Almighty Hand” was first published in Tucker’s Hymnal, in 1892. And then reprinted in 1894 in the Tucker and Rosseau’s Hymnal, Revised and Enlarged. It was included in the Latter-day Saint Hymnal in the late 1800′s, and has become a beloved standard of Mormon repertoire, listed as Hymn #78. This hymn is often viewed by members of the LDS faith as an anthem of their triumph over persecution, as well as gratitude to God for their opportunity to thrive in America, and spread their message throughout the world. Hat tip to frarozu for creating this lovely music video.
New music video:
You may read more about this hymn in a previous post, linked HERE.
Would you like to know more about what the Mormon Sunday worship service is like? Here’s a simple video that gives all the basic facts about attending, and what to expect. All are welcome and encouraged to join with us each Sunday. You may also bring your whole family (even the baby). Finding the nearest Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint (“LDS” or “Mormon”) congregation is simple, too. We hope that you will visit. Come and share a special Sabbath experience with us soon! – MoSop
