Gladys Knight in SoCal with her SUV

In 2007 I had the opportunity to take some dear friends to a Gladys Knight SUV choir fireside in Sacramento, Ca where I had served an LDS mission five years prior.  I enjoyed it so much then as she shared song and testimony of our Savior, Jesus Christ. This past week I was praying for missionary opportunities to share the good news of the Restoration of Christ's church and gospel.  The Lord works in mysterious ways and I spontaneously decided to look up her tour schedule again the day before she arrived to Southern California. Wow!  What a perfect opportunity to go see her again and take some good Christian friends along with me.  I busily text and messaged a few facebook friends and invited those I thought would enjoy her style of gospel music and testimony of Christ. 

The past few days have been very memorable as I was privileged once again to attend two local fireside testimony meetings with Gladys Knight and her choir, SUV.  She and her husband, William McDowell, bore solemn witness and testimony of the Restoration of Christ's gospel and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and their journey in finding it.  They are now actively sharing their testimonies through word and song with their fabulous choir, Saints Unified Voices.

LOVE ONE ANOTHER

ABOUT SUV
(The Saints Unified Voices (SUV) is an all-volunteer 100-voice multicultural LDS gospel choir directed by the "Empress of Soul" Gladys Knight. We are headquartered in the Las Vegas area, but travel nationwide to share our presentations of music and testimony praising Jesus Christ. To learn more about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) and ask questions, click here: www.mormon.org)

I invited a couple brothers the first night to attend with me and we had a great time in Irvine, Ca listening to the choir and testimonies of Jesus Christ.  We failed to take any pics together however to record our experience.  They also didn't realize she was a Latter-day Saint and learned a lot of new information that night.

The second night these three kept me company in the Arcadia, Ca performance.  We had a great time and followed Gladys out to her photo backdrop afterwards.  We missed a picture with her as the line was too long but were honored to meet Gladys and shake hands with her after she passed by us here below. She is so kind and smelled so good...dressed in all white that second night.  Isaiah said, "I'm not washing this hand, it smells like roses."  He was very giddy and excited to be there and to get to meet her.  I am happy these three agreed to attend with me last minute and we also had a memorable time.

 

We went to the photo backdrop to grab a photo after the performance (missed Gladys here) but the cameraman asked if he could interview us so we got 4-5 minutes on tape as well... :)

 Liz, Dee, Isaiah, and me

 Gladys Testimony at Women's Conference - 1999

 A small glimpse of what the SUV performances are like - 11 years ago...

Gladys journey to join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

I am so grateful for these experiences of hearing testimony through song and word with friends who love Christ.  I love my brothers and sisters of all races, faiths, and backgrounds.  I am grateful for the restored gospel of Jesus Christ that brought us all together at these events.  We are all children of a loving Heavenly Father whose marvelous work is to bring about salvation to all.  It amazes me the love He has for each one of us.  He knows our hearts and our paths of faith.  He is always standing with open arms to lead and guide us, to walk beside us and help us find the way.  Truth is truth and is everlasting and unchanging.  When truth is present, the Holy Ghost testifies and witnesses of it.  I know this to be true and am so grateful to know that you and I are children of God.  May God continue to bless you to Act in Faith and have the Faith to Act...by allowing Him to lead you and guide you... ~ C.J. Poulsen

I am a Child of God

Amazing Grace, Glorious, and Gratitude on #HisDay...

What first comes to mind with these words: Amazing Grace, Glorious, and Gratitude?

 They have been on my mind throughout the day as I've observed the Sabbath and tried to keep it holy.   I love the Sabbath day!  It is a delight each week to spend the entire day with my family and loved ones.  My heart is full of gratitude for this gift from our loving Heavenly Father.  It is #HisDay - a day dedicated to putting aside our selfish endeavors and things of this world and focusing instead on the Savior, Jesus Christ and His gospel teachings.  The Sabbath is a delight in our home each week as a special feeling and spirit of reverence comes over our family and home.  We look forward to this day of rest from earthly labors each week.

#HisDay

 

Today after church we watched Bible videos as we waited for mommy in a primary meeting.  I love my kids and they bring me more joy and happiness than anything else. #HisDay 

We watched The Last Supper

Meeting in an upper room with His disciples, Jesus washes their feet, institutes the sacrament, and commands them to love one another. #HisDay

Jesus washing the feet of His disciples -
This picture hangs in our foyer at church.

 

Isaiah 58:13

13 ¶If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: 

14 Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the ^ahigh places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

A Family Favorite on the Sabbath  

As a family we love watching inspirational and uplifting movies centered on the Savior each Sunday.  Some of our favorites are songs of worship praising our Savior.  There are many talented musicians that we listen to and watch over and over.  Take a look at a few of our favorites... #HisDay

Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)



Nearer My God To Thee



Glorious 



Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing/If You Could Hie to Kolob



I am a Child of God



Angels We Have Heard on High  
*Most viewed YouTube in our home I think :)

These are just a few of our favorites that invite the spirit of the Lord into our home and inspire us to want to be better and try a little harder.

I hope you enjoyed your Sabbath as much as we did ours.  Have an excellent week, SMILE and lift another with kind words and love in your heart!  #LightandTruth

 ~ C.J. Poulsen
 

Why are temples built in our day?

God's covenant people have always been commanded throughout history to build holy temples unto Him.  We have record of temples being built throughout the scriptures. Today, in our modern day it is no different, temples are being built across the globe at a more rapid pace than ever before.           Why is this?  Why are temples dotting planet earth?  What is their purpose and significance?

For many years, the Israelites could not build a temple because they were traveling through the wilderness. They carried with them a tent called the tabernacle, which served as a temple. After they had reached the promised land, King David wanted to build a permanent temple. God told him, “Thou shalt not build an house unto my name” (1 Chr. 22:8). People cannot build temples for the Lord without receiving His approval. The Lord revealed that David’s son Solomon had been chosen to build the temple, instead.

Solomon’s temple took eight years to complete. It was similar to the tabernacle, but it was twice as large. The walls were made of stone and were covered on the inside with carved wood and gold. Only the best materials were used to construct the temple. When it was finished, Solomon knelt at the altar in the court of the temple and offered a dedicatory prayer. (See 2 Chr. 3–6.)

OLD TESTAMENT TIMES: 

 Solomon's Temple

1 Kings: 

Chapter 6

Solomon builds the temple—The Lord promises to dwell among the Israelites if they are obedient—The ornaments of the temple are described.
Chapter 7

Solomon builds himself a house—Hiram of Tyre makes the two pillars, the molten sea, the ten bases, the ten lavers, and all the vessels for the temple—The molten sea (baptismal font) rests on the backs of twelve oxen.

Exodus:
Chapter 28

Aaron and his sons are to be consecrated and anointed to minister in the priest’s office—Aaron’s garments are to include a breastplate, an ephod, a robe, a coat, a miter, and a girdle—The breastplate of judgment is to contain twelve precious stones with the names of the tribes of Israel thereon—The Urim and Thummim are to be carried in the breastplate.

36 ¶And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, Holiness to the Lord.

Oakland, California Temple

Kings:

Chapter 7

25 It stood upon twelve oxen, three looking toward the north, and three looking toward the west, and three looking toward the south, and three looking toward the east: and the sea was set above upon them, and all their hinder parts were inward.

 Manaus, Brazil Temple

• 1 Corinthians 15:29

  29 Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?
  

Isaiah Saw our Day

Isaiah:

Chapter 2

 2 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.

 3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

A Prophecy Fulfilled...

Salt Lake City, Utah Temple

I was married in this temple in 2005 for time and all eternity to my eternal companion and sweetheart.  I love the blessings of the temple and the understanding it gives me of our Heavenly Father's glorious plan of salvation for each one of us.


Why the "Mormon Underwear?"

Another Old Testament Prophecy Fulfilled

Malachi 4

5 ¶Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord:

 6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

Elijah Has Returned and Restored the Sealing Keys of the Priesthood

Temple Quotations 

and

Temple Designs...

 

Revelation 7:15

15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.

Gilbert, Arizona Temple

Oquirrh Mountain, Utah Temple

 

Las Vegas, Nevada Temple 

 

Latter-day Temple Building 

- Current Construction

IF you have made it this far I applaud you for taking the time to learn more about why temples are so important to us as Latter-day Saints.  Family History and genealogy are a very big part of our focus and work as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  We believe the scripture is literally being fulfilled below:

• Ephesians 1:10

  10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
  
  I leave you my personal testimony and witness that temple work is essential to the salvation of all mankind.  Sacred ordinances are performed and covenants are entered into by followers of Jesus Christ.  True discipleship is learned. The holy temples are a sacred sanctuary from the storms of this life where we can feel the peace and beauty of heavenly things.  I love going to the temple and serving there.  It brings me so much happiness and joy each time I go.  I am uplifted and edified by the sweet spirit of the temple.  It is holy and sacred and the most beautiful place on earth.  The work of redeeming those who have past on before us is very spiritual and rewarding.   ~C.J. Poulsen
  

Are apostles on the Earth today?

Have you ever wondered if God speaks to living prophets and apostles in our day?

#FaithtoAct
Elder Neil A. Anderson - Quorum of the Twelve Apostles - October 2015 General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Amos 3:7

7 Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

Doctrine and Covenants 1:14

14 And the arm of the Lord shall be revealed; and the day cometh that they who will not hear the voice of the Lord, neither the voice of his servants, neither give heed to the words of the prophets and apostles, shall be cut off from among the people;

Doctrine and Covenants 1:38

38 What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.

Christ's original foundation of Apostles

Christ's current foundation of Apostles

It is my witness that He does and He speaks to them concerning our day.  We are living in the last dispensation prior to the return of our Savior, Jesus Christ during His second coming.  He has called and chosen these servants (15 Apostles) to help guide us, counsel us, and admonish us to stay in the paths of safety.  Satan wants us to reject these chosen servants and to follow the ways of the world.  It is my prayer that if you're reading this, you will also listen and pray concerning their messages.  May we all stand worthy of the Lamb once He returns to reign again on Earth.

Come and be nourished by the word of God; listen to living prophets and apostles and be edified and lifted by the Holy Ghost this weekend as Christ's servants proclaim messages of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

All times are MST Mountain Standard Time:  Click below to watch the LIVE feed during indicated times.

186th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Saturday April 2 - 10am - 12 noon,  2pm - 4pm and 6pm - 8pm

Sunday April 3 - 10am - 12 noon, 2pm - 4pm

- Jesus Christ teaching the Sermon on the Mount - 

Come, gather around your computer, television, or radio and be instructed, inspired, and edified...as the Lord holds his annual General Conference to Latter- day Saints and all who will listen around the globe.

~ C. J. Poulsen