Mary

This is my sweet sister Mary. She would be 62 years old this Friday. We did a lot together. She was my buddy. At Christmas, we always got the same dolls, different colored hair though, so we could tell them apart. She had type 1 diabetes and had to get a shot every day. I don't ever remember her complaining. I do remember how good she was. I was always getting in trouble, and wondered back then, how come she never got in trouble?

She was baptized when she turned 8 years old and in the spring she got sick, and was hospitalized.  

My siblings and I were taken around to the neighbors and relatives so Dad and Mom could be with her in the hospital. I was at Uncle Sherm and Aunt Ruth's home. I spent the night and went to school the next day. I was out playing on the playground, when a girl came up to me and told me Mary had died. I got in an argument with her, because that wasn't right. Someone took me to the office, and there were my siblings and our neighbors there to pick us up and take us home. Mary had died. 

I'm thankful Heavenly Father has a plan for us, and that death is not the end. I look forward to seeing Mary again. I love you dear sister!

Battle Hymn of the Republic

I'm working on choir songs for the new year and have decided to do the Battle Hymn of the Republic. We often hear it performed during patriotic events. I played the music and read the words and it is so powerful. I think it could be performed any time.

In Pslam 20, David prays that the Lord will hear in time of trouble -  In verse 7 it says, "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God."

Battle Hymn of the Republic

"Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord; He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored. He hath loosed the fateful lightning of his terrible, swift sword; His truth is marching on.

He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat; He is sifting out the hearts of men before his judgment seat. Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him; be jubilant my feet! Our God is marching on.

In the beauty of the lilies, Christ was born across the sea, With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me. As He died to make man holy, let us live to make men free, While God is marching on.

Glory, glory, hallelujah! Glory, glory, hallelujah! Glory, glory, hallelujah! His truth is marching on."

In Alma 5:50 it says: "Yea, thus saith the Spirit: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, for the kingdom of heaven is soon at hand; yea, the Son of God cometh in his glory, in his might, majesty, power, and dominion. Yea, my beloved brethren, I say unto you, that the Spirit saith: Behold the glory of the King of all the earth; and also the King of heaven shall very soon shine forth among all the children of men."

There's another great scripture reference in D&C 65:1-6.

I'm so grateful for the truths that can be found in music and the scriptures. I'm glad for this calling and the opportunity to sing praises to our Savior!

Love One Another

Throughout my life I have always been grateful for the charity extended to me on this journey. I have felt love and acceptance. Others have been patient with me in spite of myself and my failings and it taught me a valuable lesson.

The words of this hymn are appropriate:

"Should you feel inclined to censure faults you may in others view, ask your own heart, ere you venture, if you have not failings, too.
Let no friendly vows be broken; rather strive a friend to gain. Many words in anger spoken find their passage home again.

Do not, then, in idle pleasure trifle with a brother's fame; guard it as a valued treasure, sacred as your own good name.
Do not form opinions blindly; hastiness to trouble tends; those of whom we thought unkindly oft become our warmest friends."

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught:
"Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them; for this is the law and the prophets."(Matthew 7:12)

And in a revelation given through Joseph Smith, the Lord said "See that ye love one another."
(D&C 88:123)