MORMON SOPRANO

Mormons believe the first principle of the gospel is “Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ” (A of F 1:4), and “No [one] cometh unto the Father, but by [Him]” (John 14:6).

We base our belief and conviction of the divine nature and mission of the Lord Jesus Christ on (more…)

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As we commemorate Holy Week and the miracle of Easter, let us never forget the reason for the season. Enjoy this video (more…)

On April 6, 1830, the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was formally organized, and in essense the first General Conference convened. (more…)

Each April and October The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints [also known as the "Mormons" or "LDS"] hold a global General Conference, broadcasting from Salt Lake City, Utah. The following video shares an excerpt of a talk by LDS apostle Elder Jeffrey R. Holland which explains the significance of General Conference, and the glorious message of each event. (more…)

Each year the Young Men and Young Women of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (ages 12-18) receive a scriptural theme which will be a focal point for lessons, activities, youth camps, and firesides. The Theme for 2010 is

“Be Strong and of A Good Courage“

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Each year the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in conjunction with Brigham Young University, offers a week-long summer program for teens ages 14-18 called “Especially For Youth” (“EFY” for short). The first EFY program was held in 1976 in Provo, Utah. (more…)

While driving to work, I had a favorite CD playing in my car – a collection of Andrew Lloyd Webber songs. I was preoccupied with the traffic, so the music mainly provided a soothing background. At one point, the lyrics of a particular song caught my attention.  I felt moved by the sentiment of the words:

Love,
Love Changes Everything:
Hands and Faces,
Earth and Sky.
Love,
Love changes everything:
How you live and
How you die…

…Love will never let you be the same

- Lyrics by Don Black & Charles Hart

I realize that these lyrics were meant to refer to romantic love, but I couldn’t help reflect that in relation to the gift of charity, love really does change everything! When we are possessed with pure Christlike love, the way we feel about ourselves, the way we feel about others, and even the way we experience reality is never the same. Christlike love is not the giddy wave of affection we often associate with romantic love. It is something much more subtle, something deeper. It is a love that does not alter with our moods or with external circumstances.

If we continue earnestly, with faith and hope in Christ to seek the gift of charity, it will be granted to us. We can become filled with a love of God and of all people. The apostle Paul gave a beautiful promise:

“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.”

- Ephesians 3:17-19

Video: “Love Changes Everything” performed by Michael Ball

Jesus Teaching

One day while Jesus was preaching, he was approached by a crafty lawyer who thought he could entrap the Savior with a seemingly ‘unanswerable’ question. He asked: “Master, which is the great commandment in the law?”

Perhaps one of the most overlooked of these commands is that we must love ourselves. In the United States the month of February focuses on the theme of love. It culminates with the celebration of St. Valentine’s Day. This year, I encouarge each of us to ponder what it really means to “love thyself“.

Pres. James E. Faust

“The commandment given by the Savior was to love others and yourself. Am I secure enough in my love of myself to laugh at myself, to admit mistakes, to graciously accept a compliment? Am I secure in my love of others to smile and say hello to a perfect stranger?

…I testify that God loves each of us—warts and all. I testify that he knows each of our names. I testify that each of us has a potential in this life and beyond the grave that exceeds our fondest dreams. I testify through the gifts of the Holy Spirit that we are engaged in His holy work.

- James E. Faust “The Value of Self Esteem“

On today’s Wordpress home page there is a simple poll. The question reads:

“Are you optimistic for 2010?”

The 24-hr. vote shows that the answer “Yes” garnered 84%. Wow! It is nice to know that despite a world filled with troubles, we can still find a majority filled with optimism.

This knowledge makes me feel more cheerful and more optimistic, seeing that vote of confidence!

After consulting two online-dictionaries for the word “Optimism“, here are a couple of definitions I enjoyed: 

1. “Having a state of positive beliefs”

2. “The belief that the universe is improving and that good will ultimately triumph over evil.”

Take a minute to read some other words in the family of optimism:

anticipation, assurance, brightness, buoyancy, calmness, certainty, cheer, confidence, easiness, elation, enthusiasm, exhileration, expectation, good cheer, happiness, idealism, positivism, sureness, trust…

And one my personal favorites … Hope!

It is my hope that reading those words filled you up with as much positive energy as it did for me! Today, I join with you in sharing New Optimism for our New Year!

The Power of HOPE