For the month of December our family has joined millions of other Christians around the world to take part in a worldwide effort to #LightTheWorld. The goal is to share goodness and light by serving others as Christ did while He was upon the earth. This initiative helps us to reflect upon the Savior's life and ministry and honor and serve Him. As we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ and remember His good works we are encouraged to #LightTheWorld and #ShareGoodness! We are inspired to #GiveAsHeGave
Today was a very special day for our family and this young man. I had the privilege and opportunity to baptize my son and to confirm him a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This was a day I highly anticipated from the moment he was born into our family until today, 8 years later to be a part of his special day. He is our first born of three children and was very excited to be baptized. As his parents we have made a diligent effort in raising and teaching our children in a Christ centered home. We strive to teach them the importance of following Jesus Christ and becoming a disciple for Him. Our son has been very active and involved in primary at church as well since he was small and able to walk and has learned of His Savior's love for him.
As His father I am very pleased with his decision to follow our Savior, Jesus Christ into the waters of baptism. As a new member of the church, he promised and covenanted to take upon him the name of Jesus Christ, to follow Him and keep His commandments. He has chosen to be obedient to Christ's command to Come Follow Him and be baptized in His name.
In return our Heavenly Father has blessed and promised my son to have the Gift of the Holy Ghost. This Gift is the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost, a member of the Godhead, to lead and guide him in the paths of safety. He is a teacher of all truth and a comforter for all who are received unto baptism by authority.
26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Baptism April 7, 2018
Riverside California Stake
This was a very special and sacred day. The spirit was very strong to be at our Stake baptism and see my son along with six other eight year olds being baptized. We each took our turn as a ward to be in the baptismal room with our family and ward members. I found a sister in our neighboring stake who makes baptismal towels with the name and date of baptism and a shield saying CTR - "Choose The Right." I presented this to Max right before his baptism. He was excited and now has a clean, white towel to remind him of his baptismal day.
The spirit was very strong and I got emotional confirming and blessing my son with the Gift of the Holy Ghost. His blessing was beautiful and Heavenly Father blessed him with many promises and traits. It was a very neat experience and one I look forward to having again with my other children.
Maxwell was excited to get a new suit and dress more like dad and the missionaries. He got a new tie with his initials as well and looked very sharp for his special day.
This past week and weekend has been full of much joy and happiness as we celebrated my first born son's 8 year birthday, we had Spring break vacation, we got to participate in a Solemn Assembly, along with millions of Latter-day Saints across the world, to sustain our newly called Prophet and two newly called apostles, we were inspired and fed spiritually for two full days by listening to the 188th General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and we celebrated Easter as a family.
General Conference is always a highlight weekend for our family twice a year when we get to tune in via the internet and watch the prophet and apostles speak to the entire world concerning the affairs of The Church of Jesus Christ. We are counseled regarding dangers in society and from the adversary of truth and righteousness, we are exhorted (challenged) to rise above the sin and corrosion of the world and become better disciples and followers of Jesus Christ. We are admonished to love God with all of our heart, mind, and strength and to love one another as Jesus loves us. We are inspired and uplifted to choose the right and to strive to be better in all areas of life. We are motivated to have greater faith, hope, and charity. And above all, we are encouraged to become true saints, putting off the natural man and becoming disciples of Jesus Christ, that we may shine as lights in a darkening world and become one with our Savior.
New First Presidency
Left - Dallin H. Oaks, Middle - Russell M. Nelson, Right - Henry B. Eyring
I am so grateful for a living prophet to guide us in these Latter Days...He is called of God to lead and guide His Church and be His mouthpiece for His children here upon the earth. Today we got to sustain our newly called prophet, President Russell M. Nelson. After the passing of Thomas S. Monson, January 2, 2018, President Nelson was the next senior Apostle to ascend to the office of President and be our modern prophet, seer, and revelator.
I am super excited for these two new apostles called to the full-time ministry of proclaiming the Restored gospel of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth. They are called and ordained to be apostles until they die or ascend to the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ. I am a witness and know that these men are called of God to fulfill a special ministry in our day. I am humbled by the love of our Heavenly Father to provide leadership such as this in these latter days. We are truly blessed. Everyone is invited to come and partake of the good news as we are taught and instructed by Christ's modern day apostles. Whatever your faith in Jesus Christ is at this point in your life we invite you to come and partake of the blessings of following living prophets and apostles.
President Russell M. Nelson
7 New LDS Temples Announced
Salta, Argentina
Bengaluru, India
Managua, Nicaragua
Cagayan de Oro, Phillippines
Layton, Utah
Richmond, Virginia
A major city yet to be determined in Russia
One of my favorite anticipations between General Conference every six months is whether or not new temples will be announced. It is always so exciting to hear where the new temples are going to be built to bless more of Heavenly Father's children with the saving ordinances of the gospel. It is awe-inspiring to see biblical prophecies being fulfilled before our very eyes. I want to go forth and sound the message of the good news to all as with a sound of a trump...
Angel Moroni
There are a few highlights from this weekend! It has been so inspiring and uplifting and I have a renewed sense of faith, hope, and charity. We are blessed indeed! If you would like to hear a prophet's voice and learn from living apostles I would encourage you to go, watch, and LISTEN. I promise you will be blessed for your efforts!
The dedication, talent, and service of so many make this beautiful and uplifting music possible. Enjoy!
“Music is given of God to further his purposes. Sweet melodies mellow the souls of men and help prepare them for the gospel. After men receive the truth, songs of praise to Deity help to sanctify and cleanse their souls.”
-- Elder Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine (1966), 521
One of my favorite parts of the Sabbath day is the beautiful music that is played and sung at church. From our local worship services to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir & The Spoken Word on television and the Internet it always uplifts and inspires me to become a better person. It brings a spirit of peace, happiness, and pure joy into my heart. The music moves me and causes me to be more grateful for each of my blessings from our loving Heavenly Father. Throughout the week I often turn on theMormon Tabernacle Choir YouTube channel when I'm unwinding in the evening or working on tasks for my businesses.
October 22, 2017 - Music & The Spoken Word
“The singing of our sacred hymns, written by the servants of God, has a powerful effect in converting people to the principles of the Gospel, and in promoting peace and spiritual growth.”
-- President Heber J. Grant, Improvement Era, Sept. 1940, 522
This is one of my favorite hymnals...
Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing - Mormon Tabernacle Choir
A very beautiful rendition of this song...
The Prayer - Katherine Jenkins and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir
“Music is truly the universal language, and when it is excellently expressed how deeply it moves our souls.”
-- President David O. McKay, in Conference Report, Apr. 1945, 119
Seven years ago East Japan was struck with an awful earthquake and tsunami. The disaster happened on March 11th, 2011. Our mission area has made a video in memory of those who lost their lives and to instill hope in the rising generation! This video features ALL of Sendai’s missionaries singing a famous song called “Hana wa Saku” made soon after the tsunami. I’m in there too! For this video to reach the hearts of those all over the world, I need your help. Please like this video on YouTube using the link below!
The memorial date for this earthquake and tsunami is this coming March 11th. If you could share this video with your friends before that date that would be awesome! Thank you for your support and love!
-Elder Johnson
On March 11, 2011 there was a great earthquake and tsunami that hit the coast of Japan. Many people lost loved ones, family members and hope. During their time of crisis, missionaries and members from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons) organized volunteers called Mormon Helping Hands. They provided various support in the disaster area. Each of these volunteers wore yellow vests and shirts which became a symbol that was highly regarded from those within and outside of the country. In addition, many provided humanitarian support that focused on self-reliance was widely deployed.
Now, about 100 young missionaries are engaged in the same service. Many of them have taken time away from college, men for 2 years and women for 1 year and a half, to work as non-paid missionaries in the East Japan district. Their purpose is to teach people about the teachings of Jesus Christ from the Bible and the Book of Mormon. They teach how to be humble, live better lives, serve to people's spiritual needs and in a spiritual sense rescue them. These same missionaries, serving in the Japan Sendai Mission, came together and sang "Flowers Will Bloom." The song's message is that though there are hard and trying times in our lives remember all the good that has happened and that "flowers will bloom" or in other words things will get better. In this video of black and white, each of these missionaries are wearing something "yellow" to symbolize the spirit of service. Not only does it symbolize the service given from the yellow vested young men and women Mormon Helping Hands volunteers. it also symbolizes the enthusiastic service that these young people give as they work for the salvation of the people.
Here is the translation of the song in English.
My heart goes out to you when the winter snows give way to spring. My heart is longing now, longing for the town where happiness had been. Been a place of hope and of dreaming too, been a home where my heart always went back to you. But, for now I only dream of the people who I loved and knew.
Someone is singing, I can hear singing now. Someone is weeping, I can feel their tears. Someone is smiling, showing me why and how to go on living for years and years.
Flowers will bloom, yes they will..., yes they will for you who are here or yet to be born. They'll bloom, yes they will, and they'll bloom again until there's no missing sorrow and no reason left to mourn.
My heart goes out to you when the morning sun lights up the pale blue sky. My heart is heavy now with the grief I tried so often to deny. I regret mistakes that I sometimes made. But I know our love will never fade and that you'll live on instead of me and that you will have whatever love can be.
Someone is thinking, I can read ev'ry thought, someone is shedding tears for all that was lost. Someone is leading you to love that they sought, asking you to love all that you love the most.
Flowers will bloom, yes they will..., yes they will for you who are here or yet to be born. They'll bloom, yes they will, and they'll bloom again until there's no missing sorrow and no reason left to mourn. Flowers will bloom, yes they will..., yes they will for you who are here or yet to be born. They'll bloom, yes they will, and they'll bloom again until there's no missing sorrow and no reason left to mourn. Flowers will bloom, yes they will..., yes they will for you who are here or yet to be born. They'll bloom, yes they will, and they'll bloom again until you'll live and remember and love us forever more. You'll live and remember and love us forever more.
When the winter snows give way to spring.
Russell M. Nelson named 17th President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
President Russell M. Nelson was announced as the 17th president and prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Tuesday, January 16, 2018. The announcement was made by Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles during a live broadcast from the annex of the iconic Salt Lake Temple. He was sustained and set apart in the Salt Lake Temple on Sunday, January 14, 2018.
With tender feelings we announce that Thomas S. Monson, president and prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died this evening at 10:01 pm in his home in Salt Lake City. He was with family at the time of his passing. He died at age 90 from causes incident to age.
President Monson, who has served as president of the Church since February 2008, leaves behind a legacy of service and good works. A successor is not expected to be formally chosen by the Church’s Quorum of the Twelve Apostles until after President Monson’s funeral.
To the more than 16 million members of the Church around the world, President Monson was an example of one who followed Jesus Christ.
“He loved the cultures of the world, and deeply respected them. And particularly the faith of the people,” said President Henry B. Eyring, who served as first counselor in the First Presidency.
While he served in important Church leadership positions throughout his life, he also ministered quietly to thousands of individuals in homes, hospitals and care centers. “Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved,” President Monson taught.
“When I look at his life, he was a member of the Church everyone could relate to and everyone could feel comfortable in his presence," said President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency. "At the same time, when he walked with kings, with prime ministers, with presidents, with representatives of nations, it was the same way. They all felt that he was their friend.”
During his presidency Church membership grew from 13 million to more than 16 million members worldwide, and dozens of new temples were announced and dedicated throughout the world.
Prior to the dedication, President Eyring conducted the symbolic cornerstone ceremony that signifies the construction is complete and the new temple is ready to be dedicated and ready for sacred use.
“This is a ceremonial moment when we mark this great occasion by sealing the cornerstone which represents, really, the Savior. The Lord is the cornerstone of the work,” explained President Eyring. “This is the house of the Lord.”
President Eyring said he feels that President Brigham Young must be watching this ceremony. “I just think we owe something to him and the pioneers who must be so aware of this day and yet we honor them as we now seal the cornerstone.”
Elder Holland remarked while observing the sacred occasion of the temple dedication. “I sit here looking at these people and looking at these mountains and think how lovely was the morning.”
