Love this...

A message from Elder Jeffrey R Holland:

"What a terrific time to be alive!

The gospel of Jesus Christ is the most certain, the most secure, the most reliable, and the most rewarding truth on earth and in heaven, in time and in eternity. Nothing - not anything, not anyone, not any influence - will keep the Church from fulfilling its mission and realizing its destiny declared from before the foundation of the world. Ours is that fail-safe, inexorable, indestructible dispensation of the fullness of the gospel. There is no need to be afraid or tentative about the future.

Unlike every other era before us, this dispensation will not experience an institutional apostasy; it will not see a loss of priesthood keys; it will not suffer a cessation of revelation from the voice of Almighty God. Individuals will apostatize or turn a deaf ear to heaven, but never again will the dispensation collectively do so. What a secure thought! What a day in which to live!

If there are some bumps along the way while waiting to see every promise kept and every prophecy fulfilled, so be it. If you haven't noticed, I am bullish about the latter days. In nothing could I have more faith than I have in God the Eternal Father, in Jesus Christ His Son, in Their redeeming gospel, and in their divinely-guided Church. Believe. Rise up. Be faithful. And make the most of the remarkable day in which we live!"

Happy Birthday Dad!

I sure love these two people. They were great examples to me. They had many trials and challenges in this life and they got through them in spite of it all. They showed great faith and perseverance. They were very selfless and would do anything for anyone. We often had people come by, and Mom would fix them a plate of food. We went with Dad on his runs with food to share with those in need. I was the recipient myself - when we were low on cash and out of work. Dad would show up with a bag of groceries and a $20 bill to put gas in the car. I took piano and organ lessons from a sweet lady in Herriman and she didn't have the money to pay her property taxes that year. She asked if I could help out, and I couldn't, but my Dad was able to. A complete stranger to him - but a fellow sojourner trying to survive financially. They also fed our sweet Aunt that lived next door and did all they could to help her. That's what it is all about - serving and loving others. Thanks Mom and Dad! I love and miss you!

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!