Nativity Collection Shares Peace, Goodwill

My Friend Nola

Every year in November my friend Nola Child begins to unwrap her Christmas treasures and transform her home into a sacred museum, of sorts. It takes Nola over a week of full-time effort to get everything into place. That’s because Nola owns over 600 nativity scenes from around the world (although, I’ve heard the unofficial number might be closer to 700). The pieces range from nearly life-sized down to the size of a thimble, and everything in-between.  Continue reading

The Most WONDERFUL Time Of The Year

English: Dwight McCann, http://dwightmccann.co...

Mathis: Image via Wikipedia

The distinctive voice of Johnny Mathis crooned through my radio, declaring “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of The Year!” The popular Christmas song went on to list exactly what makes it so wonderful, such as holiday greetings, being with loved ones, caroling, “parties for hosting”, and even “marshmallows for toasting” Continue reading

Conference Highlights – October 2011

The Conference Center, SLC Utah

It is impossible to give true justice to a General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with a mere summary. However, for the sake of my many readers who may not have had the opportunity to watch or hear the conference yet, or for those who would like my perspective – here are a few of my personal observations and highlights from the recent October 2011 Conference weekend: Continue reading

The Unforgettable Forget-Me-Not Talk

Relief Society

Image via Wikipedia

Saturday September 24th was the global 2011 Relief Society Annual General Conference held in Salt Lake City, Utah and broadcast by radio, satellite transmission and online streaming to the world. I was priveldged to be able to watch it by satellite. Each talk was inspiring and made me feel better about myself and glad to be alive. The most “unforgettable” talk was, as usual, by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the LDS First Presidency who delighted us with a modern parable centered on the tiny blue forget-me-not flower. Each of the 5 petals of the flower represent a guiding principle that he hopes women everywhere never forget. This talk is sure to rank right up there with the late President Gordon B. Hinckley’s beloved, and equally unforgettable, “6 Be’s” Talk from Jan. 2000.

Created by Jocelyn at beinglds.blogspot.com

You are destined for more than you can possibly imagine!”

President Uchtdorf’s talk could not have come at a more appropriate time for me personally. Our family has been experiencing some difficult trials over the past month, and I have definitely struggled with discouragement. One of the overriding themes of this women’s conference was Continue reading

He Is Risen!

The Resurrection of Christ by Carl Bloch - image courtesy Wikimedia

“Of all the things for which I feel grateful, I am most thankful this Easter morning for the gift of my Lord and my Redeemer. This is Easter, when, with all of Christendom, we commemorate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. This was not an ordinary thing. It was the greatest event in human history. I do not hesitate to say that.

If a man die, shall he live again?” asked Job (Job 14:14). There is no question of greater importance than this. Continue reading

Holy Saturday: Jesus Visits The Dead

Painting by Fra Angelico "Christ's Journey To Hell and Release of Old Testamentary Persons, beginning with Adam" - image via Wikimedia

Where was Jesus for the 30-35 hours between His death on Friday, and His Resurrection on Sunday?  The answer unlocks the mystery of death and gives us a glimpse of God’s Great Plan of Happiness for all of His children. Elder Spencer J. Condie of the Quorum of the Seventy stated:

“…the significance of what He [The Savior] did during those hours provides the  doctrinal foundation for building [Latter-day Saint] temples across the earth. Furthermore, a testimony of what He did can greatly console those who mourn the death of a loved one.” Continue reading

My Easter Story

~~~

Jesus resurrected and Mary Magdalene
Image via Wikipedia

When my heart

Cries out,

“I am alone!”

I look at the cross to my left

And Jesus is there.

Since Friday

He has been

Quietly sharing

my pain

And when I listen

I hear Him Say,

“Lo, I am with you…

Alway.” Continue reading

An Easter Walk in The Holy Land

Jerusalem Tomb of the Garden

The Garden Tomb Image via Wikipedia

I recently discovered a series of incredibly beautiful and insightful religion lectures entitled The Eternal Christ, filmed on location in the Holy Land featuring the beloved author, lecturer, teacher and latter-day religious scholar Truman G. Madsen (1926 – 2009). Continue reading

Being Like Jesus

Jesus is considered by scholars such as Weber ...

Image via Wikipedia

Some of the most sublime and thought-provoking teachings of Jesus can be found in the 5th Chapter of Matthew , in the New Testamant – called The Sermon on The Mount. Not far from the city of Nazareth, a large crowd gathered on a hill. They had a commanding view of the beautiful Sea of Galilee as they listened to the man who had calmed its waves and walked upon its sparkling water. Continue reading

I Know That My Savior Loves Me

A few years ago two talented women named Tami Jeppson Creamer, and Derena Bell teamed up to compose the song ”I Know That My Savior Loves Me“. It was written specifically for a children’s choir to perform at a local Stake Conference, but this weekend the song will “go viral” to a global audience! 

Creamer and Bell’s powerful message combined with a sweet melody has been popular with  Continue reading