I Feel My Savior's Love

Reclaimed

The Forgotten Carols: Let Him In by Michael McLean

Now, I know yesterday I said that "I Cannot Find My Way (Three Kings)" was my favorite Forgotten Carol but that was partly true. "The Innkeeper (Let Him In)" is my favorite! Ok, they both are! :)

The part of this song that I identify most with is another intimately human tendency, to condemn and criticize yourself unnecessarily for mistakes:

He never would condemn me
I did that all on my own
He offered His forgiveness
And ever since then, I've known
He lets us choose each hour of each day
If we'll let Him in to stay; Let Him in
Let Him in, Let the peace on earth begin
Let Him in, Let Him in
Let the hope and joy begin!

And whether it be in your world today
Or a crowded Bethlehem Inn,
Find a way, make Him room
Let Him in!
Let the hope and joy begin
(It's beginning)
Let Him in
Let the peace on earth begin
(It's beginning)
Let Him in!!!!

I hope with the new year to come that we will choose to learn from our mistakes and move on, allowing joy, hope and peace to take room in our hearts and lives. Merry Christmas everyone!

Perspective on the Purpose of Sin and the Joy of Repentance--2 Nephi 2:23

"23 And they would have had no children; wherefore they would have remained in a state of innocence, having no joy, for they knew no misery; doing no good, for they knew no sin." 2 Nephi 2:23

The above scripture is referencing the fall of Adam and Eve and the purpose for it. Might I offer an insight: without the experience and perspective that sin CAN afford us when we view it through the lens of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, coupled with the merits of the gift of repentance truly applied in an individuals life, we could not also experience the joys of doing good.

More plainly put, the highs and lows, the contrasts of life are intended to lend us experience and perspective. Like a small infant completely naive and innocent of it's surroundings, if we did not experience one, we would not understand the other. Food for thought.

Worth Listening To

Bradley Wilcox: The Atonement: After All We Can Do

I have heard this talk a couple times on Sunday mornings while listening to Classical 89's devotional archive segment. I thought it had a insightful perspective and felt that it was one I should share. Take some time to listen to it. Enjoy =)

Bradley Wilcox | The Atonement: After All We Can Do | August 18, 2009 | BYU Broadcasting

Here With Us by Joy Williams

From the contemporary Christian artist, Joy Williams, the song Here With Us, shares the story of Christ's life from his nativity to his resurrection and beyond.

Crown Of Thorns, Crown Of Victory - Larry Hiller

For me the crown of thorns has become a symbol of the Savior’s awareness of all our hidden pains—and His ability to heal them.


An intriguing look in to the possibilities of Christ's crucifixion, please read Crown Of Thorns, Crown Of Victory.

Robert D. Hales - Agency: Essential to the Plan of Life

Whenever we choose to come unto Christ, take His name upon us, and follow His servants, we progress along the path to eternal life.

Elder Hales' October 2010 General Conference address can be viewed and read here.

Alma 37:36-47: Counsel With Christ And He Will Direct You

The Liahona

 36Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.

 37Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.

 38And now, my son, I have somewhat to say concerning the thing which our fathers call a ball, or director—or our fathers called it Liahona, which is, being interpreted, a compass; and the Lord prepared it.

 39And behold, there cannot any man work after the manner of so curious a workmanship. And behold, it was prepared to show unto our fathers the course which they should travel in the wilderness.

 40And it did work for them according to their faith in God; therefore, if they had faith to believe that God could cause that those spindles should point the way they should go, behold, it was done; therefore they had this miracle, and also many other miracles wrought by the power of God, day by day.

 41Nevertheless, because those miracles were worked by small means it did show unto them marvelous works. They were slothful, and forgot to exercise their faith and diligence and then those marvelous works ceased, and they did not progress in their journey;   
 42Therefore, they tarried in the wilderness, or did not travel a direct course, and were afflicted with hunger and thirst, because of their transgressions.

 43And now, my son, I would that ye should understand that these things are not without a shadow; for as our fathers were slothful to give heed to this compass (now these things were temporal) they did not prosper; even so it is with things which are spiritual.     UAdd a Note 

 44For behold, it is as easy to give heed to the word of Christ, which will point to you a straight course to eternal bliss, as it was for our fathers to give heed to this compass, which would point unto them a straight course to the promised land.

 45And now I say, is there not a type in this thing? For just as surely as this director did bring our fathers, by following its course, to the promised land, shall the words of Christ, if we follow their course, carry us beyond this vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise.     UAdd a Note 

 46O my son, do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way; for so was it with our fathers; for so was it prepared for them, that if they would look they might live; even so it is with us. The way is prepared, and if we will look we may live forever.     UAdd a Note 

 47And now, my son, see that ye take care of these sacred things, yea, see that ye look to God and live. Go unto this people and declare the word, and be sober. My son, farewell (Alma 37:36-47).

Proverbs 3:5-8: Trust in the Lord

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. 8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones (Proverbs 3:5-8).

2 Nephi 11 - Lift Up Your Hearts And Rejoice; There Is A God And He Is Christ

Jacob saw his Redeemer—The law of Moses typifies Christ and proves he will come.

    1 And now, Jacob spake many more things to my people at that time; nevertheless only these things have I caused to be written, for the things which I have written sufficeth me.     UAdd a Note 

    2 And now I, Nephi, write more of the words of Isaiah, for my soul delighteth in his words. For I will liken his words unto my people, and I will send them forth unto all my children, for he verily saw my Redeemer, even as I have seen him.     UAdd a Note 

    3 And my brother, Jacob, also has seen him as I have seen him; wherefore, I will send their words forth unto my children to prove unto them that my words are true. Wherefore, by the words of three, God hath said, I will establish my word. Nevertheless, God sendeth more witnesses, and he proveth all his words.     UAdd a Note 

   4 Behold, my soul delighteth in proving unto my people the truth of the coming of Christ; for, for this end hath the law of Moses been given; and all things which have been given of God from the beginning of the world, unto man, are the typifying of him.     UAdd a Note 

   5 And also my soul delighteth in the covenants of the Lord which he hath made to our fathers; yea, my soul delighteth in his grace, and in his justice, and power, and mercy in the great and eternal plan of deliverance from death.     UAdd a Note 

   6 And my soul delighteth in proving unto my people that save Christ should come all men must perish.

   7 For if there be no Christ there be no God; and if there be no God we are not, for there could have been no creation. But there is a God, and he is Christ, and he cometh in the fulness of his own time.

   8 And now I write some of the words of Isaiah, that whoso of my people shall see these words may lift up their hearts and rejoice for all men. Now these are the words, and ye may liken them unto you and unto all men.

2 Nephi 10:23-25 - Cheer Up, We Are Free To Choose

  

23Therefore, cheer up your hearts, and remember that ye are free to act for yourselves—to choose the way of everlasting death or the way of eternal life.     UAdd a Note 

 24Wherefore, my beloved brethren, reconcile yourselves to the will of God, and not to the will of the devil and the flesh; and remember, after ye are reconciled unto God, that it is only in and through the grace of God that ye are saved.     UAdd a Note 

 25Wherefore, may God raise you from death by the power of the resurrection, and also from everlasting death by the power of the atonement, that ye may be received into the eternal kingdom of God, that ye may praise him through grace divine. Amen. (2 Nephi 10:23-25)

2 Nephi 9:50-53: Come Unto the Holy One of Israel

 50 Come, my brethren, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters; and he that hath no money, come buy and eat; yea, come buy wine and milk without money and without price.

 51 Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy. Hearken diligently unto me, and remember the words which I have spoken; and come unto the Holy One of Israel, and feast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted, and let your soul delight in fatness.

 52 Behold, my beloved brethren, remember the words of your God; pray unto him continually by day, and give thanks unto his holy name by night. Let your hearts rejoice (2 Nephi 9:50-52).

Mormon Tabernacle Choir: This Is the Christ

Jesus Christ: He Will Save Us

“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS; for he shall save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21

http://mormon.org/jesus-christ

D&C 101:38: Seek The Face of The Lord Always

38 And seek the face of the Lord always, that in patience ye may possess your souls, and ye shall have eternal life.  (D&C 101:38)

None Were With Him

Happy Easter everyone!

He Lives: Testimonies of Jesus Christ