Music is a wonderful blessing in life. But good melodies must be on-key and follow principles of precise rhythm and proper timing. When they do, it's music to our ears.
It's amazing how music can bring back memories to our recollection. I was listening to some classics that still reside among my favorites of all time. The melodies help me feel hope, courage, love, and joy--pretty good list of qualities from a simple song or two:
And there are so many more from today's genre. You have a list of your favorites too. I am frequently impressed with your good choices of music and grateful to select from among many of the great performances you have brought to my attention. I can only list a few:
There are so many good tunes. We had our Ward Christmas party this morning...a celebratory Christmas breakfast. Here are a couple more great songs we enjoyed:
You can insert your favorite tune here. The list of melodies are endless. But if we fail to put our ear buds in or do not turn on the music, we never get to experience the good feelings that come from these melodies. The great songs are everywhere, but we have to do something to listen to and enjoy them. Everybody knows that.
And it is no different when we receive the blessings that come from God. They are out there. They are everywhere, but if we don't do the things that bring them into our lives, we will miss them now and in the future. Sure tough times happen. But blessings can always make things better. Just like with music, we have to do something to experience and enjoy the blessings come from God. It's really not difficult, but everybody doesn't know that.
Live and celebrate the intents of your heart.
You don't have to listen to all these songs right now, but hang on to them, they will come handy when you least expect.
Fam,
There is an age-old question that seems to be discussed frequently "Why do bad things happen to good people?" Its answer eludes many, and so the question reappears time-and-again. Granny introduced me to an address where this question was answered by Brett G Scharffs director of the international center for law and religion studies. He relates the following story:
As a scout leader I got to know two young brothers in my Webelos group. That summer their family was in a terrible car accident. One of the brothers was in critical condition for weeks, and I visited him in the hospital where he was wrapped nearly head-to-toe in bandages. This was the early 1990s and AIDS was not well-understood, and this young boy contracted the HIV virus from a blood transfusion. It took many months, but he eventually recovered from most of his injuries. But at that time being infected with HIV virus was akin to a death sentence. He was asked to speak in church about what he had learned from his experience. Although he was only twelve, he gave what I think is the most profound and insightful address on the problem of evil that I've ever heard: “Some people have asked me what I did wrong to deserve what happened to me. I’m not perfect,” he said “but I'm a good boy and I know this is not something I deserved. Others have said you must be a really strong person for God to give you such a difficult trial. I don't feel strong” he continued “and anyway I don't believe God did this as a reward for my being particularly righteous. No. I don't think this happened because I’m particularly bad or particularly good. I believe it happened because I'm mortal, and this is part of the price of mortality. We come to earth, we exercise our agency, and other people exercise theirs, and sometimes we hurt each other, and sometimes accidents happen.”
Insightful words from a twelve-year-old boy.
In this same forum, Scharffs recounts another story where a student asked Judge Clifford Wallace who sat on the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals a question about his religious views. “What are your beliefs and how do they affect your work as a judge?” Judge Wallace responded with a textbook answer that his religious beliefs do not affect his work as a judge because he has taken an oath to uphold and follow the constitution and laws of the United States. The student pressed, asking but what are your personal religious beliefs ... his answer made a deep impression on me ... “I am a Mormon,” he said, “a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” He paused and then continued. “And I am a believing and faithful member of my church. I really believe it. I don't just believe part of it or some of the time, I believe all of it all of the time. It teaches me that we are all created in the image of God and that we are all his children. It teaches me that I have to show love and respect to everyone.”
I agree precisely and to these powerful comments. I add my own testimony that through personal experience I know the promises of the gospel are valid and true. I don't just think they are true. I know it. I have put them to the test for 50+ years, and they have consistently delivered as advertised. I'm not perfect, but I know One who is. And with Him, I am enough.
“Good men sometimes make mistakes. A man of integrity will honestly face and correct his mistakes, and that is an example we can respect. Sometimes men try but fail. Not all worthy objectives are realized despite one’s honest and best efforts. True manhood is not always measured by the fruits of one’s labors but by the labors themselves—by one’s striving.”
D. Todd Christofferson
I feel these same sentiments very strongly. I am grateful for the opportunity to make covenants with God that enable his power and blessings in my life and those of my loved ones.
