Testimony

               “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you…” 1 Peter 3: 15, King James Bible. I thought about what I would say and what I would do if someone asked me about my beliefs and had questions about my faith. The poem, The Difference, came as a result of how I prepared to answer these questions and to be ready for those who might ask what I believed in and why.

Do You Believe?

Sometimes people ask me:

Do you believe in God? Do you believe that Jesus Christ suffered for our sins?

Do you believe that anyone could die and live again?

Do you believe any one church to be true, and if you do,

How is it that out of so many people God can know me and you?

I tell them: Yes, I believe! But will you let me ask you this:

Do you believe that in the morning when you awake

That elsewhere in the world sun will shine upon a face?

Do you believe that the wind is really gusts of air?

And tell me, though you do not see it, how do you know that it is there?

They tell me: I can feel the wind and see the effects it has all around.

I say that it is the same with God; although most do not see Him,

His Spirit can be felt and found.

We can also see all that He has done.

He is our kind Father who loves everyone.

God is our Creator. He created me and you.

God created us in the image of Him.

We are his children, so naturally He knows us and wants us to return to Him again;

And as for Jesus Christ, He is the Savior of mankind.

He came to this earth leaving his perfect example behind.

He suffered and died for us, so that we can repent,

Rising again on the third day, He went to his Father from whom He was sent.

These things I testify unto you,

But if you still need more faith to believe these things to be true,

Study the scriptures and pray,

And you will get an answer whether night or day,

Because if you have faith and believe, you will gain the knowledge that you seek,

And if you truly desire, you can have that testimony in your heart to keep.

            I wrote Signs and Miracles to show unto the world my testimony that God still lives and that miracles do occur because of His matchless power and his mercy. We just have to be willing to exercise our faith for miracles to occur and we also have to have faith to open our eyes and see the signs, wonders, and miracles that God has already given to us for our benefit and for His glory.

             In the Book of Mormon, Moroni and Mormon both talk about God being a God of miracles. Moroni says “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, have miracles ceased because Christ hath ascended into heaven, and hath sat down on the right hand of God, to claim of the Father his rights of mercy which he hath upon the children of men? For he hath answered the ends of the law, and he claimeth all those who have faith in him; and they who have faith in will cleave unto every good thing; wherefore he advocateth the cause of the children of men; and he dwelleth eternally in the heavens. And because he hath done this, my beloved brethren, have miracles cease? Behold I say unto you, Nay; neither have angels ceased to minister unto the children of men” Moroni 7: 27-29.

            Mormon also states “And now, O all ye that have imagined up unto yourselves a god who can do no miracles, I would ask of you, have all these things passed, of which I have spoken? Has the end come yet? Behold I say unto you, Nay: and God has not ceased to be God of miracles. Behold; are not the things that God hath wrought marvelous in our eyes? Yea, and who can comprehend the marvelous works of God?

            Who shall say that it was not a miracle that by his word the heaven and the earth should be; and by the power of his word man was created of the dust of the earth; and by the power of his word have miracles been wrought? And who shall say that Jesus Christ did not do many mighty miracles? And there were many mighty miracles wrought by the hands of the apostles. And if there were miracles wrought then, why has God ceased to be a God of miracles and ye be an unchangeable Being?

            And behold, I say unto you he changeth not; if so he would cease to be God; and he ceaseth not to be God; and he is a God of miracles...” Mormon 9: 15-19.

            The Lord himself has also declared in  2 Nephi chapter 27, verse 3 in the Book of Mormon that “… behold, I am God; and I am a God of miracles; and I will show unto the world that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and I work not among the children of men save it be according to their faith.”

Signs and Miracles

In a time where so many lose hope, and they can’t seem to find their way,

They say they can’t believe because there are no miracles here today.

They say that they have to see signs and wonders or they can’t believe at all.

They refuse to have faith in what they say there is no proof of,

so their faith fails and they fall;

Even though there are miracles all around us; they happen all the time,

Like the flowers that bloom in springtime, like the sun and stars that shine,

And there are all the creations that began the earth.

There are the sick who are healed and precious babies’ births,

And then there is the greatest miracle of all, the miracle of Christ,

Of his birth, his example, his suffering for our sins,

and how he willingly gave up his life.

Then he was resurrected on that first Easter morn,

And he triumphed over death forever more.

With the scriptures, faith, and the power of prayer,

As well as the signs and wonders already there,

How is it people still don’t know that there is a God up above,

And the resurrected Christ who is full of love?

And with all the signs and miracles, what more do they need?

Why is it they still won’t believe?

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace” Isaiah 9: 6, King James Bible.

The Christmas Story Poem

Oh, many, many years ago,

A story was told that most of us know.

It was about the beauty of the stars’ shinny light,

Sparkling for all in the dark, silent night,

And the angels singing praises to the baby dear,

For all the world to know of and hear,

And the shepherds watching their flocks that night,

Hearing the angels give all delight;

The wise men carrying the precious gold so fine,

And sweet smelling spices for Jesus divine.

Mary and Joseph so filled with love,

Reminded us all of a sweet, gentle dove,

And Jesus, Jesus, so gentle and sweet,

Is just the person we all want to meet;

For he is the true meaning of Christmas day,

For he paid the price no one else could pay.

He died for us, so we might live again

Up with the heavenly hosts and him.

So now on Christmas many years later,

We celebrate it to remember the Savior.

  

            In the Book of Mormon in Mosiah chapter 3, verses 5-8 prophecy of Christ’s life saying “For behold, the time cometh, and is not far distant, that with power, the Lord Omnipotent who reigneth, who was, and is from all eternity to all eternity, shall come down from heaven among the children of men, and shall dwell in a tabernacle of clay, and shall go forth amongst men, working mighty miracles, such as healing the sick, raising the dead, causing the lame to walk, the blind to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear, and curing all manner of diseases. And he shall cast out devils, or the evil spirits which dwell in the hearts of the children of men.

            And lo, he shall suffer temptations, and pain of body, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer, except it be unto death; for behold, blood cometh from every pore, so great shall be his anguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people. And he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth, The Creator of all things from beginning; and his mother shall be called Mary."

            In the Book of Mormon in Alma chapter 7 verses 11 & 12 also reiterates that “… he shall go forth suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and sicknesses of his people. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.”

This Man

This man was born in a manger in Bethlehem.

This man taught everyone to be like him.

This man healed the sick and afflicted.

He mourned for the wicked.

Truly, this man is great indeed.

This man healed the lepers.

He gave sight to blind beggars.

Yes, this man, water, he walked on.

He blessed little children.

Truly, this man did great things.

This man calmed stormy waters.

He fed great numbers.

This man, dead, he did raise.

This powerful man, he constantly prayed.

Truly, God and this man did many great things.

This perfect man suffered for the sins of the world.

Upon this man horrible pains were unfurled.

This man was crucified on Calvary.

This man died for you and for me.

This man is my Savior, Jesus Christ, my Redeemer,

And this man is my friend.

The Lord is our Father and our God. If we put our trust in Him, we need not fear. In the King James Bible in Isaiah chapter 64, verse 8 states “But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.”

In Joshua chapter 1, verse 9, the Lord also declares “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest” King James Bible.      

He Is There

When evil is all around me and I feel darkness closing in,

I feel so tempted to yield to the worldly ways of sin.

Though I try so hard to be strong,

Sometimes I mess up and I do wrong,

So I turn to the Father and I pray with all my might

For His Spirit to guide me to help me win this fight,

And He hears me. He is always there,

And I know that He answers my fervent prayers.

He will not let me down; He is there for me, wherever I go,

And I know that He loves me much more than I know,

For I am His. I am a child of God,

And with His goodness and His mercy, He helps me hold fast to the rod,

And even though temptations surround me, He will be there if I fall,

Because He is always there. He will be there through it all.

 Because the Lord loves us and cares about us as his children, He will never lead us astray and He will not leave us comfortless. In Abraham chapter 1, verse 18 in the Pearl of Great Price, the Lord states “Behold, I will lead thee by my hand, and I will take thee, to put upon thee my name, even the Priesthood of thy father, and my power shall be over thee.”

In the Book of Doctrine & Covenants, section 112, the Lord also tells us that if we are humble and if we harden not our hearts and stiffen not our necks we are promised that “…the Lord they God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers” (verse 10) and that “… after their temptations, and much tribulation, behold, I , the Lord, will feel after them, and if they harden not their hearts, and stiffen not their necks against me, they shall be converted, and I will heal them” (verse 13.)

Someone Watching Over Me

So many voices,

So many choices,

So many decisions to make.

So many people trying to tell me how to act and how to think.

It is so nice to know

That through it all, no matter where I go,

I will have someone watching over me;

Someone to lead me, someone to guide me,

Someone to help dry all my tears,

Someone not too far from here.

In this world there is so much heartbreak, so much war, so much confusion.

There are so many questions over right and wrong. There are so many illusions.

At times I feel so lost and I feel so alone.

I’m glad I can turn to you with my questions when I am far away from home.

It is so nice to know that you are someone who is watching over me.

You are someone to lead me, someone to guide me,

Someone to help dry all my tears,

Someone not too far from here.

When I need you, you are there; you’re not too far away.

All I have to do is simply fall to my knees and pray,

And you give me strength and comfort; you lead me to the right.

You protect me and direct me back into your watchful sight,

And no matter where I go,

It is so nice to know that I have someone watching over me,

Someone to lead me, someone to guide me,

Someone to help dry all my tears.

Yes, there will be someone watching over me, not too far from here.

Over the course of my life, I have come to see that not only does the Lord care about me and watch over me, He is also my truest friend, and He, the greatest of all, considers me a friend if I keep His commandments.  He has declared in Doctrine & Covenants section 93, verse 4 that “…I will call you friends, for you are my friends, and ye shall have an inheritance with me…”

You Are My Friend Indeed

You gave me strength when I was weary.

You lifted me up when I was weak.

You showed me how to love my neighbor and to turn the other cheek.

You helped me out in times of need.

You are my friend indeed.

You are my hope and inspiration,

And my way to exaltation.

You are my joy and my light

And my teacher of what’s right.

You are my friend indeed.

You are my Savior and Redeemer and my guide until the end.

You are the perfect example, and yet you call me friend.

You are the great Messiah. I’m hardly worthy of thy name,

But I know, Lord, you love me just the same.

Truly, you are my friend indeed.

For, you give me strength when I am weary.

You lift me up when I am weak.

You show me how to love my neighbor and to turn the other cheek.

You help me out in times of need.

You are my friend indeed.

       

Christ has said “Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, who created the heavens and the earth, a light which cannot be hid in darkness” Doctrine & Covenants, section 14, verse 9.

            Christ is the true light of the world and it is through Him that we can have light and life. Yet, we also represent Christ if we have entered into the covenant of baptism. If we have done this, we have promised to always remember Him and to take upon ourselves the name of Christ and to keep His commandments. Because of this Christ has told us that we also “…are the light of the world…” and that we must “Let (our) light so shine before men that they may see (our) good works and glorify (our) Father which is in heaven” Matthew 5: 14 &16, King James Bible.

Like a Candle…

Like a candle in a night of darkness,

Like a shelter in a storm,

You’re my hope and you’re my comfort.

You’re the one who keeps me safe and warm.

Like a bridge over troubled water,

Like a light in a storm-tossed sea.

You’re my help in my times of trouble.

You are always there for me.

You’re my perfect example,

Who I turn to in times of need.

You’re the one who I will follow, just as long as you will lead.

You’re my guide in all my choices.

You teach me what is right.

You’re my Savior and Redeemer,

The everlasting light, and you are the Christ.

Like a candle in a night of darkness,

Like a shelter in a storm,

You’re my hope and you’re my comfort.

You’re the one who keeps me safe and warm.

Like a bridge over troubled water,

Like a light in a storm-tossed sea.

You’re my help in my times of trouble.

You are always there for me.

“In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” 1 John 4: 9&10, King James Bible.

           

This Much I Promise You

As I see the world when I look around,

I wonder why so many truths can’t be found.

Why is it so many people don’t believe in God?

Do they think he’s make believe? Do they think he’s a fraud?

The world is turning upside down.

This is driving me crazy. Sometimes it just makes me want to frown.

To the world, bad is seen as good and good is seen as bad.

It’s making me depressed and sad

To think that people don’t understand

These truths I’ve had all my life in my hands.

But this much I can tell you I know; God lives. He loves us.

He has a wonderful plan for us.

He sent us here on this earth

To gain a body and learn of our worth.

He let men fall as part of the plan,

But he provided a way to come back home again.

He sent his son, Jesus Christ

To give us an example for which we pattern our lives.

He sent his son to suffer and die for us,

 so that we can repent and be forgiven of our sins,

So that we might be able to return to Him again,

If we but, keep the commandments and repent,

And follow in Jesus’ footsteps and the example He sent.

By reading the scriptures and doing the good things they say-

Keep the commandments, love one another, and pray.

Listen to the still, small, voice.

He will comfort you, guide you, and help you choose the right.

If you do these things, they will help you in your life.

They’ll help you overcome trials, hardship, and strife.

I testify these things unto you,

For I know the words I speak to be true,

But in order to know for sure,

Pray unto God with real intent and a heart that is pure,

And you will get an answer. I know this to be true.

This much I promise you.

“But great and marvelous are the works of the Lord, and the mysteries of his kingdom which he showed unto us, which surpass all understanding in glory, and in might, and in dominion; Which he commanded us we should not write while we were yet in the Spirit, and are not lawful for man to utter; Neither is man capable to make them known, for they are only to be seen and understood by the power of the Holy Spirit, which God bestows on those who love him; To whom he grants this privilege of seeing and knowing for themselves; That through the power and manifestation of the Spirit, while in the flesh, they may be able to bear his presence in the world of glory. And to God and the Lamb be glory, and honor, and dominion forever and ever. Amen” Doctrine and Covenants section 76, verses 114-119.

I Don’t Understand or Comprehend

There are so many things that I don’t understand.

There are so many things that I can only begin to comprehend.

There are so many things to study and ponder.

There are so many things that make me wonder,

What is it like to be near God? What is it like to see His presence?

How great it would be to fully understand His will! Oh, how I would be reverenced!

I can only imagine the greatness of His glory.

I can only begin to comprehend all the things that He did for me.

Oh, there is so much that I don’t understand.

There is so much that I don’t comprehend,

But despite my weakness, I will trust and believe.

I will have faith, and I will receive.

I will trust in God’s plan. I will follow His will,

Because I know that His power is real.

I know that He answers prayers for every one of us.

I know that He sent His son, Jesus Christ,

So that we can repent and better our lives,

And even though there are many things that I don’t understand,

And many things that I can only begin to comprehend,

This I do know: God is real,

And we must trust in Him, have faith, and love Him with all our hearts and zeal.

          

“Bring the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears. Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled; who among them can declare this, and shew forth their witnesses, that they may be justified: or let them hear, and say, It is truth.

Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye many know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no savior. I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins” King James Bible, Isaiah 43: 8-11 & 25. The Lord hath declared that He is God and in Alma 24, verse 14, in the Book of Mormon, we learn that those of us who know God and know of His glorious gospel are blessed.

“And the great God has had mercy on us, and made these things known unto us that we might not perish; yea, and he has made these things known unto us beforehand, because he loveth our souls as well as he loveth our children; therefore, in his mercy he doth visit us by his angels, that the plan of salvation might be made know unto us as well as unto future generations.”

            Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon saw the Lord in a vision and added their testimonies to the Lord’s own witness and other testimonies which had been given.  “And now,” they said “after the many testimonies which have been given him, this is the testimony, last of all which we give of him: That he lives! For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father- that by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God” Doctrine & Covenants 76: 22-24. And now after these testimonies of the gospel and of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, I want to add my own testimony to those that have been given.

My Testimony

“Are you there Lord? Can you hear me?” cry the people of the earth.

They want answers to their questions that they have pondered since birth.

“Is there hope? Am I loved? Does anybody even care?

Life is so chaotic. Is there a purpose? Why am I here?

There is death, disease, and disaster.  How can I ever find peace?

War is always raging. Will it one day ever cease?

Will I ever again see those I love who have since past away?

Is there heaven? Is there hell? Is there a judgment day?”

They are pleading in their minds, wondering where to turn.

They are seeking out the answers that their hearts wish to learn.

They need the gospel of the Lord, Jesus Christ.

They need the message of His everlasting light.

I have this great gift and with those people I wish to share.

I know there is a God in heaven that loves us and hears our prayers.

I know that He is our Heavenly Father. We are his children. He knows us by name.

I know that He cares about our hearts, not about our power or our fame.

He loves us so much; He gave us the power to choose, and yet knowing we would sin,

He sent his son, Jesus Christ to suffer and die for all people: women, men, and children.

Christ knows everything we are going through, because he once went through it all.

He now reigns as King of Kings, though he was born in a cattle’s stall.

It is only through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ

That we can return back to God and receive eternal life.

I know that the Holy Ghost bears witness of these things,

And the scriptures and the prophets also testify of the truth of that the gospel brings.

I now add my testimony to what has been given,

And I have but one request: find out the truth of these things yourself and then listen.

  

            We are promised that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, “… though (our) sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they be as crimson, they shall be as wool” King James Bible, Isaiah 1: 18.

            Isaiah further testifies that “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

            But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before the shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? For he was cut off out of the land of the living; for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief; when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper his hand” Isaiah 53: 4-10.

The Lord has spoken about his sacrifice and his Atonement in this way “Therefore I command you to repent- repent, lest I smite you by the rod of my mouth, and by my wrath, and by my and by my wrath, and by my anger, and your sufferings be sore- how sore you know not, how exquisite you know not, yea, how hard to bear you know not. For behold, I God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I; Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit- and would that I might not drink the bitter cup and shrink-

Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men” Doctrine & Covenants 19: 15-19.

The Atonement of the Lamb

Though our sins be as scarlet,

They are washed bright as snow

With the blood of the Lamb.

No mortal can ever understand or know

All the agony and pain He went through.

He suffered more than man can bear.

Though sinless, He gave up his life.

As He did this, He put our souls in His care.

At times He pleaded the cup would pass,

But humbly, He did the Father’s will.

By doing this, He showed greater love than was before known.

He died for His friends, and now our hearts He does heal.

On the third day, He conquered death.

He achieved victory over the grave.

On that glorious Easter morn,

Our souls had the chance to be saved.

Now our dear Savior beckons us

To repent and come unto Him,

Because He wants so badly for us to return

Back to our Father in Heaven.

All we have to do is let Him in,

Because He knows all that we’re going through.

His Atonement lets us repent, be forgiven, and come clean.

Then we must strive to live worthy and do all He would have us do.

Our Redeemer’s marvelous sacrifice

Means that we don’t have to be alone,

Because Christ knows all our griefs and pains.

For these He also did atone.

There is nothing quite so wonderful

As the Atonement of the Father’s Lamb.

Oh, for His infinite sacrifice,

How grateful I am!

  

“I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” John 10: 14 & 27, King James Bible.

            “Behold, I say unto you that the good shepherd doth call you; yea, and in his own name he doth call you, which is the name of Christ; and if ye will not hearken unto the voice of the good shepherd, to the name by which ye are called, behold, ye are not the sheep of the good shepherd. Therefore, if a man bringeth forth good works he hearkeneth unto the voice of the good shepherd and doth follow him; but whosoever bringeth forth evil works, the same becometh a child of the devil, for he hearkeneth unto his voice, and doth follow him” Alma 5: 38 & 41, Book of Mormon.

I wrote I Am the Shepherd and Ye are my Sheep after my friend, Tara, was sharing some of her experiences with me about when she was in Israel and got the chance to visit Jerusalem and to be in some of the places that Jesus had been in. I was thinking about what it would be like if I too, could have been where Jesus was. I was wondering if it would make a difference in how strong my faith would have been. I came to the conclusion that even though I have not seen Christ, I believe that my faith is just as strong as those who have seen Him, because I still feel as close to Christ as if I were kneeling at His feet. He is the Shepherd of my soul and I am one of His sheep.

I Am the Shepherd and Ye are My Sheep

I wonder what it would be like

If I could have lived at the time of Christ,

If I could have walked the roads He walked,

If I could have heard the things He taught,

If I could have knelt at the Master’s feet,

He’d say “I am the Shepherd and ye are my sheep.”

If I could have seen Him then, face to face,

Would this make a difference in my faith?

Would I know of His divinity?

Would I still see all the love He has for me?

If I could have touched His tender hands,

Would I know that He’s the Savior, the Great I Am?

Yes, I think I would, but not better than I know it now,

For all of this is in my heart, though I can’t explain quite how.

I know that Christ loves me, because I have felt His grace,

And even though I don’t remember seeing His face,

I still feel as close to Him as if I were next to His feet,

And He still says “I am the Shepherd and ye are my sheep.”

            “Hearken, O ye people of my church, to whom the kingdom has been give; hearken ye and give ear to him who laid the foundation of the earth, who made the heavens and all the hosts thereof, and by whom all things were made which live, and move, and have a being. And again I say, hearken unto my voice…Listen to him who is the advocate with the Father, who is pleading your cause before him- Saying Father, behold the sufferings and death of him who did no sin, in whom thou wast well pleased; behold the blood of thy Son which was shed, the blood of him whom thou gavest that thyself might be glorified;

            Wherefore, Father, spare these my brethren that believe on my name, that they many come unto me and have everlasting life.

            Hearken, O ye people of my church, and ye elders listen together, and hear my voice while it is called today, and harden not your hearts; For verily I say unto you that I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the light and the life of the world- a light which shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehendeth it not. I came unto mine own and mine own received me not; but unto as many as received me gave I power to do many miracles, and to become the sons of God; and even unto them that believed on my name gave I power to obtain eternal life.

            And even so I have sent mine everlasting covenant into the world, to be a light to the world, and to be a standard for my people and for the Gentiles to seek to it, and to be a messenger before my face to prepare the way before me” Doctrine & Covenants 45: 1, part of 2, and 3-9.

Behold, Jesus the Christ

Behold, our great Redeemer, thou Son of God who came to Earth.

Behold our great Exemplar, faithful to the Father forever.

Behold, our great Creator, maker of worlds, Master of the universe.

 Behold, our humble Savior, source of repentance for all mankind.

Behold, Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and End.

Behold, our loving advocate, who pleads for our behalf.

Behold, the Master Teacher, the Shepherd of our souls.

Behold our elder brother, the one who conquered death.

Behold, Jesus the Christ.

I wrote Rejoice for Christ has Come shortly after I had listened to the First Presidency Christmas devotional. The First Presidency talked about how we should try to keep Christ in our Christmas. As I was thinking about what I could do to keep Christ a part of my Christmas season, I thought about the birth of the Savior and about how later Christ atoned for the sins of the world.

 “And behold, he shall be born of Mary, at Jerusalem which is the land of our forefathers, she being a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and conceive by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a Son, yea, even the Son of God. And he shall go forth suffering pains and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and sicknesses of his people” Alma 7: 10-11, Book of Mormon. (For further study, read in the King James Bible, Luke 2: 1-19, Matthew chapters 1& 2, and Isaiah 7: 14.)

Rejoice for Christ has Come!

Peace be unto thy soul. Let the whole world know

Of the birth of God’s son, Jesus Christ, Holy One.

Oh rejoice, for He has come!

Redeemer of mankind, you came of humble birth,

Born as a tiny babe who would later save the earth.

Oh, imagine the rejoicing from the angels on that day.

I’m sure they sang you praises as you rested on the hay.

The star shone up in heaven to fill the sky with light.

Shepherds knelt beside you, and they felt your glory bright.

Mary, you gentle mother and Joseph her husband dear

Both held you in their arms that night so close and so near.

Even though you were a child, they knew that one day you would be

A Savior for the world, hope for all humanity.

Others knew this, too, like the wise men from a far.

They knew where it would lead, when they followed the star.

They bore you gifts of riches. They honored you with the gifts that they did bring,

And now thousands of years later, the wise still seek you, the King of Kings.

Now peace can fill our souls

 As we let the whole world know

Of the birth of Thee, Jesus Christ, Holy One.

We shall rejoice for Thou hast come!

            I imagine that all the hosts of heaven rejoiced when Christ was born in the flesh those many years ago and I imagine there will also be great rejoicing of the angels in heaven and all the righteous on earth when Christ shall come again in the triumphant Millennial day.

“And this shall be the sound of his trump, saying to all people, both in heaven and in earth, and that are under the earth- for every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess, while they hear the sound of the trump, saying: Fear God, and give glory to him who sitteth upon the throne, forever and ever; for the hour of his judgment is come.

            And again another angel shall sound his trump, which is the sixth angel, saying: she is fallen who made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication; she is fallen, is fallen!

            And again, another angel shall sound his trump, which is the seventh angel, saying: It is finished; it is finished! The Lamb of God hath overcome and trodden the wine press alone, even the winepress of the fierceness of the wrath of Almighty God.

            And then shall the angels be crowned with the glory of his might, and the saints shall be filled with his glory, and receive their inheritance and be made equal with him” Doctrine & Covenants 88: 104-107.

When He Comes Again

When He comes again, the earth will be renewed.

                                   When He comes again, the bad will get their dues.               

When He comes again, my heart will fill with joy.

When He comes again, will He bless each girl and boy?

Before He comes again, there will be many signs to show.

When He comes again, I hope the whole world will know

That He’s my Savior, my Redeemer, the man who suffered for our sins,

And He’s the only one who can make it so we can live with God again.

Oh, when He comes again, angels will sing praises for him.

When He comes again, there shall be resurrected women and men.

When He comes again, will I have done all I could

So I could live like him,

And be forgiven of my sins?

When He comes again, will I be spotless in his eyes?

That He’s my Savior, my Redeemer, the man who suffered for our sins,

And He’s the only one who could make it so we can live with God again.

           When I wrote The Difference, I thought about how lucky and blessed I am to have the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life. I thought about what a difference this has made to me. I couldn’t imagine ever being without it. I wanted other people to be able to have this in their life, too. I love the gospel. The truths found in the gospel are the only things that I know in my life for sure. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the reason that I am the person that I am today. I am so blessed because of the gospel!

          “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments; and his commandments are not grievous.

For whatsoever is born of god overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the son of God?” 1 John 5: 1-5, King James Bible. I often think of the song I’m Trying to Be like Jesus by Janice Kapp Perry, and it is my goal to try to be more like Him and to share the wonderful difference that His light and His gospel have blessed me with in my life.

The Difference

What makes us who we are? What leads us down that path?

Is there one defining moment that determines who we are at last?

When I stand at the Judgment, what will my thoughts be?

Will I have lived a righteous life? Will my actions be in harmony

With the teachings of the prophets and the Holy Son?

Will I have done all I needed to have done?

The older I get, and the more that I learn,

The more I understand, and the more my heart seems to yearn

For a chance to be better than I am.

I want to do my best to be the best I can.

I want to improve. I want to repent.

I want to follow the Savior and the example that He sent.

I want to live my life in such a way

 That others who see me will want to follow Christ each day.

I want to choose to do what I know is right.

I want to share the gospel. I want to share God’s light.

I want to tell the world of God’s marvelous plan;

I know where I came from, and I know who I am.

This knowledge helps shape who I want to be.

It helps me make wise choices. It is the guide for me.

I want others to know and feel this too.

I want them to have what I do.

I want this to be the difference in their lives;

That they can know of God’s great plan and they can know Jesus Christ.

I want them to know of these truths and feel the light within,

So that their lives can too be guided and they can be free from sin.