Easter Joy

BYU Vocal Point – Savior, Redeemer of My Soul

Savior, Redeemer of my soul,

Whose mighty hand hath made me whole,
Whose wondrous pow’r hath raised me up
And filled with sweet my bitter cup!
What tongue my gratitude can tell,
O gracious God of Israel.

Never can I repay thee, Lord,
But I can love thee. Thy pure word,
Hath it not been my one delight,
My joy by day, my dream by night?
Then let my lips proclaim it still,
And all my life reflect thy will.

O’errule mine acts to serve thine ends.
Change frowning foes to smiling friends.
Chasten my soul till I shall be
In perfect harmony with thee.
Make me more worthy of thy love,
And fit me for the life above.

He Is Risen

Moroni 9:25-26

The sweet message of hope we have in Jesus Christ. Happy Easter!

Always

The scathing truth

A word to parents (e.g. everyone)

All of us rhetorically call to our children "Remember who you are" as they leave the protective custody of home and family to go off on excursions or dates or college to metaphorically explore the world. We teach our young women to stand and recite a theme weekly to evoke memories of their divine nature and our sons regularly repeat a pledge to God and man regarding their duty. Yet many of us lose focus and question our identity as difficult times confront us.

Perhaps you are in the midst a challenge and searching for relief. We all hope to be granted the desires in our hearts at such times. Even Alma expressed this sentiment when he wrote the famous metaphor "Oh that I were an angel and could have the wish of mine heart." Alma 29

Our struggles vary, but none escape the eye of God. He has the power to heal us whatever our circumstance. 

Perhaps the scriptures are filled with battles, because we face struggles of our own today. And we can benefit from examples of others who faced formidable obstacles and through faith, effort and reaching for the rhetorical hand of God overcame their challenges.

I have always been edified by the example of Moroni who in the midst of battle fortified the lands of the Nephites. He directed his men to reinforce weak points and build them up until they became strongholds. And he continually developed his faith in God and his timing.

We can learn a thing or two from this example.

Salt of the earth

We are all familiar with the scripture referencing the savour of salt which has been lost.  Matthew 5:13

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted?

From this passage we learn at least two things:

1. we are the salt of the earth
2. salt without savour is less than it can be

So what it this savour that makes or breaks salt?

I am not claiming to interpret this reference beyond what others have, but note that we often use the terminology "salt has lost its savour," but that is incorrect.

The reference states "salt has lost his savour," which I propose is the very answer to our question.

What makes the rhetorical salt of the earth so significant is the very fact that it mirrors the Savior's attributes, characteristics, and qualities in abundant measure though as yet incomplete.

Your welcome to your own interpretation. I encourage your insights, but for me and my understanding, I believe following the attributes of Christ is what gives us savour.

Giving of yourself will change your life and change the way you see the world, and the way it sees you.

We can impact the entire world for good.

Each of us can make a difference.

Do it.

Let your light so shine
I am the light that you hold up
Be of good cheer

You must be the change you wish to see in the world—Gandhi

Life's tape measure

A business colleague a few years ago taught me a lesson for which I will always be grateful. "Problems," he said, "are simply opportunities for improvement." And he was right. That attitude has made all the difference. The key is the degree to which attitudes affect choices and influence actions.

He taught another principle "You can't manage what you don't measure." And that too has tremendous value. You only use a tape measure for one thing. The key is to use it.

Just make sure you are measuring the right things.

Good, Better, Best

I never could have guessed how things would change over my lifetime, sometimes in big ways and other times in small ways. If you're about my age or older, you may have noticed an interesting transition, but it could have escaped your notice as well.  It's a small thing. When I was a boy shampoo was dispensed using bottles with removable caps. Later, containers were altered to include adjustable caps, which means shampoo can be dispensed and the cap is never separated or lost. Today, some bottles have push buttons (no cap to worry about, proper amount dispensed with the push of a single hand). This is a simple analogy, but the application pervasive. We are constantly moving toward the brightest outcome.

Things don't always work out as planned...sometimes they turn out better; sometimes they are much more difficult than expected. But whether they are advantageous is up to us.

Gregg's article

Watch CES Devotional

Healing in His wings

Last week I shared with you some thoughts regarding life's inevitable challenges. I referenced a talk given by Henry B. Eyring. Today, I want to echo his words that it is the Lord that can and will provide respite from life's many obstacles, even when we do not escaped unscathed.

"The darkness will be dispelled when the promised Messiah comes with healing in His wings. Knowing how much I need that healing, my heart nearly bursts with joy and love for Him at the thought of that light. I believe I will never see the dawning of a new day, as the sun banishes the darkness, without the sight triggering love in my heart for Him."

We see evidences all around us of His care, love, and majesty. For that, I will be eternally grateful.

Always

This is the post I have been anticipating sending for months. Time and again I have prepared the words to share, but the occasion has not been right. We face many challenges in life and enduring to the end is sometimes the best we can do. Enduring to the end is the best we can do.

• Finding faith in the Lord Jesus Christ will help us have the power to overcome challenges in life
• The Lord passed through trials more terrible than we can imagine… If the foundation of faith is not embedded in our hearts, the power to endure will crumble
• Serving God and others persistently with full heart and soul turns testimony of truth into unbreakable spiritual strength
• Acting on even a twig of faith allows God to grow it

Wherever we are, the Lord is mindful of our lives and need. He always keeps his word.

http://www.lds.org/ensign/1999/10/always?lang=eng

The complexity of simplicity

I have always been fascinated by oxymorons. Some of my favorite...

• Terribly good
• Business intelligence
• Limited guarantee 
• Removable sticker

There are hundreds, perhaps thousands more. Some are funny. Some are confusing. But they nevertheless show up in many places in today's world.

Rhetorically speaking, it's funny what a very small change can accomplish.

Take for instance the words: Proactive and Reactive. By altering only 2-3 letters the word changes its entire meaning. Of course, you might say that's obvious. It happens with many words. But the lesson not only applies to etymology, it also applies to all of life.

Section 121 includes perhaps some of the choicest gems in all of scripture. Today I will share just two:

• Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong  
• And the doctrine of the priesthood shall distill upon thy soul as the dews from heaven 

So our devotion to God and obedience to his commandments, which he has provided for our happiness, will result in confidence and blessings. And we are not just talking about a few but as the dews from heaven. How are the dews from heaven distilled? They cover everything; quietly, regularly, and completely. That's our promise, as well, when we follow the Savior.

One choice that will never be taken from us is the attitude we decide to embrace for today.

Wow. That's the last time I will ever doubt myself.

Never again. ha

...by small and simple thing are great things brought to pass Alma 37:6

Trimmed and burning

Of course you remember the parable about the ten virgins. Five of them were foolish and not prepared at the Bridegroom's coming. They asked from the wise "Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out." This account is given in Matthew 25.

There are many possible interpretations of the parable of the ten virgins. One is that the oil is selfless service, and that's why it could not be shared, as taught by James E. Faust:

“Another oil that is not available at midnight is the indispensable oil of home service. This rare oil of service is accumulated... through lending a helping hand." (see Your Light—a Standard to All Nations for the complete address)

That's why I selected an oil lamp for the icon on the helpmegiveback page.

 17 Wherefore, be faithful, praying always, having your lamps trimmed and burning, and oil with you, that you may be ready at the coming of the Bridegroom—
 18 For behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, that I come quickly. Even so. Amen.

Doctrine and Covenants 33:17-18

Drop by drop, the filling of our lamps with oil is crucial.