Angels Among Us

"That's just too much of a coincidence to be a coincidence"

- The Cokeville Miracle

At the end of the credits, the audience applauded and the scripture from 2 Kings projected on the screen:

"Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them." - 2 Kings 6:16

I pointed to the scripture, leaned down to my son, Micah, and said, "Hey, you remember what happened in that scripture story?"
 Micah's friend, Lex, looked over and asked, "What scripture story?"
"It's a really cool one from the Old Testament," I began.
Then Micah interrupted excitedly, "Yeah, it's about a prophet and his servant and they are surrounded by a huge army of their enemies.  The servant is scared and the prophet says a prayer that his eyes would be open.  Then the servant sees a whole ton of angels surrounding the enemy army."
"Wow, cool!" Lex exclaimed wide-eyed.
"Good job, Micah.  I'm impressed!" I said as I patted him on the back.
As we made our way home today, a spirit of gratitude and reverence filled our hearts.  My husband and I shared our personal testimonies of prayer and the reality of angels.

"In 1986 Cokeville made national headlines when a madman and his wife entered the elementary school with guns and bomb. They gathered over 100 children and teachers into a small room, and made a demand: $200 million dollars for the lives of the children - but then the bomb went off... How did a bomb that should have leveled the room take only two lives that day, the madman and his wife? Each child, each adult who made it out of that room has a story to tell. Follow the Sheriff's investigator Ron Hartley as he pieces together the evidence, including stories of prayer and divine intervention from multiple witnesses. Gather the evidence and decide for yourself. Do you see coincidence, or do you see miracles?" - IMDb

I don't know how many theaters or cities this movie has played in but I'm sure it will be available online soon.  What a treat this was to watch today. I highly recommend it!  Both my husband and I agree that it makes us want to search our family history more and get to know those who have gone before us. Malachi promises that in the last days "the hearts of the fathers [and mothers] will turn to their children and the hearts of the children will turn to their fathers [and mothers]."   I truly believe that our ancestors are invested in our lives. It makes me want to be more invested in theirs. I testify that they watch over us and are intimately involved with the details of our every day, probably more so than they ever could have been in their mortal frame.

I know this!

“I believe we move and have our being in the presence of heavenly messengers and of heavenly beings. We are not separate from them. … We are closely related to our kindred, to our ancestors … who have preceded us into the spirit world. We can not forget them; we do not cease to love them; we always hold them in our hearts, in memory, and thus we are associated and united to them by ties that we can not break. … If this is the case with us in our finite condition, surrounded by our mortal weaknesses, … how much more certain it is … to believe that those who have been faithful, who have gone beyond … can see us better than we can see them; that they know us better than we know them. … We live in their presence, they see us, they are solicitous for our welfare, they love us now more than ever. For now they see the dangers that beset us; … their love for us and their desire for our well being must be greater than that which we feel for ourselves. -.Joseph F. Smith, in Conference Report, Apr. 1916, 2–3; see alsoGospel Doctrine, 5th ed. (1939), 430–31.

"In times of special need, [God sends] angels, divine messengers, to bless His children, reassure them that heaven [is] always very close and that His help [is] always very near." - Jeffery R. Holland - (The Ministry of Angels)

"Miracles are a retelling in small letters of the very same story which is written across the whole world in letters too large for some of us to see." - C. S. Lewis

-Alicia :)

Meeting the Challenges of Today

When you study the scriptures, do you ever have certain themes that impress deep upon your mind and heart?  I am struck by the importance of prophets and apostles, the importance of giving heed to those who are called to speak and guide in the Lord's name, on a general and local level.

As I was studying this morning, I noticed the words "Voice of the Lord" several times in chapters 12 and 13 of Helaman.  I paused as these words repeated in my head.  I questioned myself, "Do I hear the voice of the Lord in my life?  How do I discern it from my own?  How does He speak to me?"  I know from personal experience that He speaks to us through prayer, fasting, study, and personal revelation.

In the Bible Dictionary under "Revelation" it states, "The principle of gaining knowledge by revelation is the principle of salvation. It is the making known of divine truth by communication with the heavens...  It...consists of individual guidance for every person who seeks for it and follows the prescribed course of faith, repentance, and obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ."

The key here is the "prescribed course" for there are many who claim to hear "the voice of the Lord" who are not living the principles prescribed.  "Obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ" is very much tied to obedience to the Lord's servants, to His prophets and apostles.  Which leads into the second part of the description of revelation in the Bible Dictionary,  it's "the plan of salvation to the Lord's prophets."

D&C 1:38 says, "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."

There it is, that's His voice! The voice of His servants and the voice of the Lord are the same!

 Yesterday, I enjoyed listening to most of the sessions of this last conference, of letting the voice of the Lord permeate the walls of my home.  The hymns and the words of the prophets filled my heart with peace.

 I recognized a very clear message from them to defend and uphold the family as it has been outlined in the Proclamation to the World.  The conclusion of this proclamation ends with a very strong admonition, "We warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets."  

The Lord has made His voice crystal clear.  It will be interesting to see what will happen in these coming years.  Calamities WILL come,

 Nevertheless, "The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done”-  (Joseph Smith - History of the Church, 4:540).

To go forth boldly and nobly in such times we must be found on the Lord's side.  We must be His true disciples and follow Him, for He is our Captain.  And as in any army, a good captain appoints strong leaders, these leaders speak His voice.  We sustain them as Prophets, Seers, and Revelators.

 In October of 1978 Neal A. Maxwell, an apostle of the Lord, spoke at BYU:

"Discipleship includes good citizenship; and in this connection, if you are careful students of the statements of the modern prophets, you will have noticed that with rare exceptions—especially when the First Presidency has spoken out—the concerns expressed have been over moral issues, not issues between political parties. The declarations are about principles, not people, and causes, not candidates. On occasions, at other levels in the Church, a few have not been so discreet, so wise, or so inspired.

But make no mistake about it, brothers and sisters; in the months and years ahead, events will require of each member that he or she decide whether or not he or she will follow the First Presidency. Members will find it more difficult to halt longer between two opinions (see 1 Kings 18:21).

President Marion G. Romney said, many years ago, that he had “never hesitated to follow the counsel of the Authorities of the Church even though it crossed my social, professional, or political life” (CR, April 1941, p. 123). "  (Meeting the Challenges of Today - Neal A. Maxwell)

Does this not sound completely like today?!  This was 37 years ago, But look at how far we've digressed as a nation since that time.  How much stronger the warning must be!! These declarations the Brethren have given us are about principles, sound principles anchored in truth, anchored in doctrine.

The voice of the Lord has spoken.  The prophet Samuel in Helaman 13:39 cries out, "O ye people of the land, that ye would hear my words!"

I testify that the words of the living prophets are the words unto salvation.  They bring comfort to my soul, peace into my home, hope into my heart, and courage to face the challenges of the day.

-Alicia

Champion Each Other

Not long ago, I overheard a woman just tear into her husband, ripping him with criticism up one side and down the other.  Her nagging and griping seemed endless as she picked and prodded at every possible flaw.  My heart sank as I noticed the look of dejection in her husband's face.  He seemed heavy with sorrow as he hung his head shamefully and spoke not a word in his defense.  I've seen this same scenario played out in the opposite direction as well where the husband jabs at his wife with stabbing insults or cutting and belittling remarks.  How sad! How terribly, terribly sad!  

Now, I won't pretend that my marriage is perfect but I must say that I feel so incredibly fortunate that the communication we have as husband and wife has never been at such a base and ugly level.  In my opinion, this form of talk is abusive.  

Several years ago, my husband and I wrote up a family mission statement together.  We recite it every Monday with our children.  Part of this statement says,

"We are a family of sincere listeners who champion each other.  We strive to build an environment in our home and in our hearts where the Spirit of God may dwell.  We choose to find the good in others and in ourselves, remembering always 'the worth of souls is great in the sight of God'" (D&C 18:10)

In addition to this, whenever I or he has an opportunity to pray in family prayer or in our companion prayers, we always make it a point to openly express gratitude for the other, thanking our Father in Heaven for all they do and asking that the Lord will bless them in all they are in need of.

I've been studying and reviewing General Conference this morning and the talk by Linda K. Burton caused me to reflect on the depressing scene I witnessed not long ago.  Not only should we avoid such corrosive and biting words but we should seek a higher ground. We must constantly to seek to say things and act on opportunities that build and lift our spouse. We must practice this until it becomes second nature. 

 In her talk "We'll Ascend Together" Sister Burton asks the following questions:

"Sisters and brothers, how often do we intentionally “speak kind words to each other”?

We might test ourselves by asking a few questions. With a little adaptation, these questions can apply to most of us, whether we are married or single, whatever our home situation might be.

1. When was the last time I sincerely praised my companion, either alone or in the presence of our children?

2. When was the last time I thanked, expressed love for, or earnestly pleaded in faith for him or her in prayer?

3. When was the last time I stopped myself from saying something I knew could be hurtful?

4. When was the last time I apologized and humbly asked for forgiveness—without adding the words “but if only you had” or “but if only you hadn’t”?

5. When was the last time I chose to be happy rather than demanding to be “right”?"

I give my witness that great and marvelous things result in our homes when we strive to build and lift each other, when we strive to focus on the good.  There is no such thing as a kind word wasted.  We will never regret being too forgiving, too loving, too appreciative, or too gentle but we will always regret the absence of such virtues.

-Alicia

Parallels Principles and Prophets

Fifteen chapters make up the book of Ether.  Translated from records approximately 2,800 years older than his time, and faithfully commentated by Moroni, he placed this story at the tail end of The Book of Mormon before closing with his own final words.  Interesting parallels are contained within Ether’s 15 chapters of the Jaradites that echo similar themes found within the records of the Nephite and Lamanite nations which chronologically come after Ether’s account:  The Book of Mormon and Ether both start with families that are commanded to build ships and embark into the unknown.  Both books heavily preach faith, hope, and charity through Christ.  Both contain records of terrible war driven by pride, greed, envy, hatred, and secret combinations.  Both show a pattern of prophets, and both conclude with a lone prophet who ends up witnessing total annihilation of his own nation.  

Pattern of Revelation

There is something truly beautiful and wonderful about the unknown when it is placed before us by the hand of God.  What glory will be revealed as the blindfold is removed from our eyes and we see exactly how the Lord has been guiding us along our own journey through life. There is a great pattern of revelation exemplified in both Lehi and the Brother of Jared’s family to build a ship after the manner of the Lord, to leave behind all their comforts and embark in uncharted waters, knowing fully and completely that God was leading them towards a promised land.  Both fasted and prayed much and went to the mountain often to seek direction and as they did so, the Lord in His goodness instructed them and blessed them according to their desires.

“Here we go, going in alone, into the dark and wonderful unknown, let us go, let us go.” (Ingrid Michaelson - Wonderful Unknown)  

Pattern of Principles

Both records contain deeply rooted principles of faith, hope, and charity in and through our Savior, Jesus Christ. Alma gives a beautiful sermon on what it means to plant the seed (the word of God), to nourish it with full faith and complete hope that it will grow.  As the soil of our hearts are open and receptive - carefully and consistently cultivated,  the seed will grow into the most beautiful tree and bear the fruit of pure love, the love of Christ or charity.  

“These divine attributes should become fixed in our hearts and minds to guide us in all of our actions. We read in Moroni, ‘Cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all. … Whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.’ Charity can be the outward expression of faith and hope. If sought and obtained, these three foundation elements of celestial character will abide with us in this life and beyond the veil into the next life.” - (Joseph B. Wirthlin - Cultivating Divine Attributes - October 1998 General Conference)

Pattern of Pride

Among the virtues preached in these books, there is also a great warning of a horrible vice.  It was pride that led individuals, families, and nations to war and ultimate destruction.  The pattern is made clear as we observe the many contentious souls driven by, greed, envy, and hatred.  Spiritual things matter nothing to them for they cannot see beyond their own face.  With stiff necks, high heads, and blind minds - their souls are ugly, cankered and diseased by vanity and selfishness.  

“The Doctrine and Covenants tells us that the Book of Mormon is the ‘record of a fallen people.’ (D&C 20:9.) Why did they fall? This is one of the major messages of the Book of Mormon. Mormon gives the answer in the closing chapters of the book in these words: ‘Behold, the pride of this nation, or the people of the Nephites, hath proven their destruction.’ (Moro. 8:27.) And then, lest we miss that momentous Book of Mormon message from that fallen people, the Lord warns us in the Doctrine and Covenants, ‘Beware of pride, lest ye become as the Nephites of old.’ (D&C 38:39.)” - President Ezra Taft Benson - Beware of Pride - April Ensign 1989

Pattern of Prophets

We have a Father in Heaven who loves us, He loves all His children. He doesn’t want to see us fall like these nations did. Witnessing His children destroy themselves or each other brings great sorrow to His heart (Moses 7:28-33).  This is why He constantly sends prophets, to call us to repentance so we have fair warning and so we may be healed (3 Nephi 9:13). Time and time again the prophets come and tragically they are rejected over and over.  In the October 2014 General Conference, Sister Carol F. McConkie taught:

“We heed prophetic word even when it may seem unreasonable, inconvenient, and uncomfortable. According to the world’s standards, following the prophet may be unpopular, politically incorrect, or socially unacceptable. But following the prophet is always right.” - Carol F. McConkie

Pattern of Courage Through Conversion

It may be hard to do what is right especially when we have opposing pressure from peers, family, friends, or coworkers.  They may argue over our decisions.  They may ridicule or mock us, telling us that we need to lighten up or relax.  But we must be firm in keeping the standards of the church, even if it means standing alone.  Dare to be strong and let go of worry over opinions or approval.  President Monson counseled in the April 2014 conference:

“It is impossible to stand upright when one plants his roots in the shifting sands of popular opinion and approval... Needed is the courage...to hold strong and fast... to do not that which [is] easy but that which [is] right... We will all face fear, experience ridicule, and meet opposition. Let us—all of us—have the courage to defy the consensus, the courage to stand for principle. Courage, not compromise, brings the smile of God’s approval. Courage becomes a living and an attractive virtue when it is regarded not only as a willingness to die manfully but also as the determination to live decently.” - (President Thomas S. Monson - Be Strong and of a Good Courage)

This kind of courage stems from conversion.  It is the soul that is so deeply converted that they will not compromise covenants and the things they know to be true even if they have to “stand alone.”  These two great prophets, Ether and Moroni, stood alone and they both witnessed the fall and total annihilation of their people. Even still, they remained firm and were true at all times.

“And the Lord spake unto Ether, and said unto him: Go forth. And he went forth, and beheld that the words of the Lord had all been fulfilled; and he finished his record” - Ether 15:33

“I even remain alone to write the sad tale of the destruction of my people. But behold, they are gone, and I fulfil the commandment of my father. And whether they will slay me, I know not.” - Mormon 8:3

Being true until the battle was over instilled within the souls of these prophets a Godly confidence.   Like Paul, they could say, “I have fought the good fight.” They could trust and know with certainty that great blessings awaited them for their faithfulness.  

“I soon go to rest in the paradise of God, until my spirit and body shall again reunite, and I am brought forth triumphant through the air, to meet you before the pleasing bar of the great Jehovah, the Eternal Judge” - Moroni 10:34

“Now the last words which are written by Ether are these: Whether the Lord will that I be translated, or that I suffer the will of the Lord in the flesh, it mattereth not, if it so be that I am saved in the kingdom of God. Amen.” - Ether 15:34

I’m sure that Moroni felt a deep connection to the prophet Ether even though almost three-thousand years spanned between them.  They were bound in principles of truth.  Perhaps  Moroni was strengthened as he abriged Ether's record knowing that there was one who had walked a similar road as he did, who felt many of the same emotions, burdens, and lonliness carried by those called to be prophets of God. They both witnessed the same patterns among their people: Patterns of revelation, of principle, of pride, of prophets, and of conversion.  How do we connect with these righteous men? What can we learn from their records that will help us in our own journey?  I testify that their writings are made for just that - to help us along our way.  They are sacred and true.  The patterns of Ether and Moroni’s time also parallel our day.  I am forever grateful for all who sacrificed to bring them into my hands.  They are the word of God unto salvation.  I know this!!

-Alicia

..................

• Pattern of Revelation

1. “inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper, and shall be led to a land of promise; yea, even a land which I have prepared for you; yea, a land which is choice above all other lands.” - 1 Nephi 2:20
2. “I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do.  Nevertheless I went forth.” - 1 Nephi 4:6,7
3. “Surely the Lord hath commanded us to do this thing; and shall we not be diligent in keeping the commandments of the Lord?” - 1 Nephi 4:34
4. “I arose and went up into the mountain, and cried unto the Lord.... the Lord spake unto me, saying: Thou shalt construct a ship, after the manner which I shall show thee, that I may carry thy people across these waters.  And I said: Lord, wither shall I go that I may find ore to molten, that I may make tools to construct the ship after the manner which thou hast shown me?” - 1 Nephi 17:7-9
5. “As ye shall keep my commandments ye shall be led towards the promised land; and ye shall know that it is by me that ye are led.” - 1 Nephi 17:13
6. “I did build it after the manner which the Lord had shown unto me… and I Nephi, did go into the mount oft, and I did pray oft unto the Lord; wherefore the Lord showed unto me great things.” - 1 Nephi 18:2-3
7. “after we had sailed for the space of many days we did arrive at the promised land” - 1 Nephi 18:23
8. “The brother of Jared did go to work, and also his brethren, and built barges after the manner...according to the instructions of the Lord.” - Ether 2:16
9. “The brother of Jared cried unto the Lord”  “and he cried again unto the Lord” “he went forth unto the mount,...and cried again unto the Lord” - Ether 2:18,22 & 3:1
10. “they got aboard their vessels… and set forth into the sea, commending themselves unto the Lord their God.” - Ether 6:4
11. “And thus they were driven forth three hundred and forty and four days upon the water.  And they did land upon the shore of the promised land.” - Ether 6:12

• Pattern of Principles

1. “Now as I said concerning faith - faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true.” - Alma 32:21
2. “And because of your diligence and your faith and your patience with the word in nourishing it, that it may take root in you, behold, by and by ye shall pluck the fruit thereof, which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure; and ye shall feast upon this fruit even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst.” - Alma 32:42
3. “I beheld a tree, whose fruit was desirable to make one happy” - 1 Nephi 8:10 “It is the love of God… the most desireable of all things, the most joyous to the soul” - 1 Nephi 11:22,23
4. “Whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God.” - Ether 12:4
5. “Faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore dispute not because ye see not” - Ether 12:6
6. “I remember that thou has said that thou has loved the world, even unto the laying down of thy life… I know that this love which thou hast had for the children of men is charity”- Ether 12:33,34
7. “Charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ” - Moroni 7:47,48

• Pattern of Pride

1. “There are many that harden their hearts against the Holy Spirit, that it hath no place in them; wherefore, they cast many things away which are written and esteem them as things of naught” - 2 Nephi 33:2
2. “there were many… who had become hardened and impenitent and grossly wicked, insomuch that they did reject the word of God and all the preaching and prophesying which did come among them.” - Helaman 6:2
3. “How could you have forgotten your God in the very day that He has delivered you?  But behold, it is to get gain, to be praised of men...ye have set your hearts upon the vain things of this world” - Helaman 7:20:21
4. “O ye pollutions, ye hypocrites, ye teachers, who sell yourselves for that which will canker, why have ye polluted the holy church of God? Why are ye ashamed to take upon you the name of Christ? Why do ye not think that greater is the value of an endless happiness than that misery which never dies—because of the praise of the world?” - Mormon 8:38
5. “He that will contend against the word of the Lord let him be accursed; and he that shall deny these things, let him be accursed” - Ether 4:8
6. “And [the secret combinations] were kept up by the power of the devil to administer these oaths unto the people, to keep them in darkness, to help such as sought power to gain power” - Ether 8:16

• Pattern of Prophets

1. “there came many prophets, prophesying unto the people that they must repent” - 1 Nephi 1:4
2. “the Lord God hath sent His holy prophets among all the children of men” - Mosiah 3:13
3. “God should redeem His people...all the prophets… have prophesied ever since the world began”- Mosiah 13:33
4. “O that we had repented before this great and terrible day, and had not killed and stoned the prophets, and cast them out” - 3 Nephi 8:25
5. “there came prophets among the people who were sent from the Lord, prophesying that the wickedness and idolatry of the people was bringing a curse upon the land, and they should be destroyed if they did not repent”- Ether 7:23
6. “there came prophets in the land again, crying repentance” “but the people believed not the words of the prophets, but they cast them out” - Ether 9:28,29

• Pattern of Courage Through Conversion

1. “I even remain alone to write the sad tale of the destruction of my people. But behold, they are gone, and I fulfil the commandment of my father. And whether they will slay me, I know not.” - Mormon 8:3
2. “Blessed is he that is found faithful unto my name at the last day” - Ether 4:19
3. “And the Lord spake unto Ether, and said unto him: Go forth. And he went forth, and beheld that the words of the Lord had all been fulfilled; and he finished his record... Now the last words which are written by Ether are these: Whether the Lord will that I be translated, or that I suffer the will of the Lord in the flesh, it mattereth not, if it so be that I am saved in the kingdom of God. Amen.” - Ether 15:33,34
4. “I soon go to rest in the paradise of God, until my spirit and body shall again reunite, and I am brought forth triumphant through the air, to meet you before the pleasing bar of the great Jehovah, the Eternal Judge” - Moroni 10:34

Made Strong

My professor shared a quote in my religion class yesterday that seemed to speak right to me. After her lecture, I walked down hill from campus and found an isolated spot.  Still pondering upon the words Sister Platt shared, I sat in the pouring rain under my umbrella. With my face hidden by the cover of its canopy, I offered up a tearful prayer that the Lord would please hold together my weak heart.  I just don't feel very strong at this moment in my life.  I know God is good.  I know my weakness will be turned into strength. And I know that through this humbling trial, I will learn lessons I couldn't learn in any other way.  I have faith in God.  He is the Gardener and cuts me back because it's what is best. It just hurts sometimes.
- Alicia

"Where do you suppose we get these weaknesses?... The Lord tells us the answer to this question very plainly in the Book of Mormon. He says:

'And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.' (Ether 12:27)

So where do we get our weaknesses? We get them from the Lord; the Lord gives us weaknesses so we will be humble. This makes us teachable....  It seems that all men have weaknesses in one form or another, character traits that make one more subject to a particular temptation than another. Lehi states that God 'hath created all things, both the heaven and the earth, and all things that in them are, both things to act and things to be acted upon... Giving us weakness, however, is one of the Lord's ways of getting our attention. He says this is the means he uses to make us humble, but he also says that if we will come unto him and have faith in him, he will make us strong wherein we were weak. I know this is the truth. There are numerous examples in the scriptures that vividly illustrate this principle—Alma and the sons of Mosiah...Peter and Paul in the Bible, to name just a few... Paul became one of the greatest missionaries we have record of in the Bible. (Acts 9:1-3) In his own words, he declared: "I can do all things through Christ which strengthened me." (Philip. 4:13)" - Hartman Rector Jr.

Child of Light

With our girls at church today, we discussed preparations for our upcoming Young Women's in Excellence night. Memories from 10 years previous came into my mind of planning for the very same thing when I was serving in another ward YW's presidency...  I couldn't help but remember this song "Child of Light." It was a song I had discovered from an album written for 2004's EFY .  We used it with our girls the following January to sing for their special program.  I'd love our young women in my ward now to sing it sometime. I think it's absolutely beautiful!  I love it because it proclaims two truths about our identity - We were made to fly and we were meant to shine!  It is woven into our spiritual DNA!  We are literal sons and daughters of God, the Father of Light.  Do we realize the power we have been endowed with? How differently would we view one another, the stranger, the outcast, the sinner and the saint... if we could always see ourselves and everyone around us through this lens of truth?

"Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day" 

- 1 Thessalonians 5:5

"They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." 

- Isaiah 40:31

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people will not feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." - Marianne Williamson

I'm a believer!!
-Alicia

Child of Light

by, Mindy Gledhill

Do you ever wonder who you are

do your ever wonder as you stare into the stars

Where you began

And how you got this far

from home?

Have you ever walked along the shore

Have you ever seen the water dancing back and forth

Did you look inside

To see if there was more to life

There's a dream taking wing

There's a voice that wants to sing

Even in the deepest darkest night

The Torch is raised to the sky

There are hands that hold it high

You were born to keep it burning bright

You were made to fly you were meant to shine

Child of light

You will never ever stand alone

You were never called to bare your burdens on your own

Where there's fear

Love will take control

And lead you on

There's a dream taking wing

There's a voice that wants to sing

Even in the deepest darkest night

The Torch is raised to the sky

There are hands that hold it high

You were born to keep it burning bright

You were made to fly you were meant to shine

Child of light

A Pattern of Prophets

President Hugh B. Brown had a conversation with a former justice of the supreme court of England in the which he gave a "brief on Mormonism."  The former justice believed that there were no prophets of God on the earth today and that they stopped after biblical time.  The following is taken from President Brown's account:

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“Why do you think it stopped?”
“I can’t say.”
“You think that God hasn’t spoken since then?”
“I am sure He hasn’t.”
“There must be a reason. Can you give me a reason?”
“I do not know.”
“May I suggest some possible reasons? Perhaps God does not speak to man anymore because He cannot. He has lost the power.”

He said, “Of course that would be blasphemous.”

“Well, then, if you don’t accept that, perhaps He doesn’t speak to men because He doesn’t love us anymore and He is no longer interested in the affairs of men.”

“No,” he said, “God loves all men, and He is no respecter of persons.”

“Well, then, if He could speak, and if He loves us, then the only other possible answer, as I see it, is that we don’t need Him. We have made such rapid strides in science and we are so well educated that we don’t need God anymore.”

And then he said—and his voice trembled as he thought of impending war—“Mr. Brown, there never was a time in the history of the world when the voice of God was needed as it is needed now. Perhaps you can tell me why He doesn’t speak.”

My answer was: “He does speak, He has spoken; but men need faith to hear Him.”

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Now, this is the part I want to emphasise from the conversation, the part where the former judge admits, “there never was a time in the history of the world when the voice of God was needed as it is needed now."

Over these last few months, in my study of the Book of Mormon, I've noticed what I like to call, "a pattern of prophets."  These past couple of days I've gone through the whole book and highlighted this pattern.

There's been so much discussion over the words of the Brethren lately.  There are political changes in law and in organizations that are controversial to say the least.  But the brethren have been crystal clear and yet still so many within the church kick at what their position is.  I wince at this kind of resistance to the prophet's words because I've observed the pattern of events that follow.  I've seen what happens when the prophets are rejected or criticized.

About 11 years ago I gave a lesson in church among a large group of sisters.  The topic was all about following the Prophet.  For fun, I decided to take a popular hymn, revise it a little, and have the sisters sing it in class.  I wanted to drive home to the sisters that our conversion is deeply rooted to how we respond to the standards of the church laid out by the prophets and apostles.

Are we "cherry-pickers?"  For example, do we say;
"Yeah, I listen to the brethren but when it comes to modesty, that doesn't really apply to me"
"It only applies on certain occasions, I have 'special occasion' to ignore this one"
"I'll live by that standard when I feel like it."
"I want different answers besides the same old simple 'prayer and scripture study.'"

I was rather proud of my "Revised Hymn" but there was one woman who approached me after class who it obviously ruffled.  I explained to her that it went right along with the quote from the lesson.  Maybe the truth was hard for her to take?  I don't know where this woman is today in the church but I submit that it's a dangerous road to be on when we get angry or upset by, or ignore the standards they lay out for us.  They are true messengers... are we giving strict heed?

-Alicia

Revised Hymn

(For those who “claim” to believe.)

We thank thee O’ God for a prophet

To guide us in these latter-days

Provided he teaches what we want

And provided we like what he says

We thank thee for every teaching

Our hearts do reflect these great hymns

Sometimes it’s a pleasure to serve thee

If you suit to our fancies and whims*

We support all our local church leaders

On Sundays we give them a smile

But after the Sabbath is over

We will do our own thing for a while

We doubt not the Lord nor his goodness

We are sure he is pleased with our lives

If we only ignore just a few things

He’ll be certain to answer our cries

When dark clouds of trouble hang o’er us

And threaten our peace to destroy

Then maybe we’ll listen completely

And their words will not seem to annoy

Thus on to eternal damnation

We’re ok, we will turn out just fine

For here in our day of probation

We will do what we want with our time

Revised By: Alicia Rawlins 2003

(See also 2 Nephi 28:21)

*          “We sing and have done so constantly, ‘We thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet to guide us in these latter days.’ There are a great many who put a postscript to that and say: ‘Provided he guides us to suit our own fancies and our own whims.” -Heber J. Grant

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Pattern of Prophets -

1. 1 Nephi 1:4 - “there came many prophets, prophesying unto the people that they must repent”
2. 1 Nephi 1:2 - “they were angry with him; yea even as with the prophets of old, whom they had cast out, and stoned and slain”
3. 1 Nephi 3:18 - “they have rejected the words of the prophets”
4. 1 Nephi 5:10-13 - “Lehi... did search [the records, the scriptures] from the beginning… and beheld that they did contain… the prophecies of the holy prophets, from the beginning even down [until his time]”
5. 1 Nephi 7:14 - “they have rejected the prophets”
6. 1 Nephi 10:5 - “how great a number [of the prophets] had testified”
7. 1 Nephi 13:23 - “[the Bible] containeth many of the prophecies of the holy prophets”
8. 1 Nephi 19:21 - “he surely did show unto the prophets of old all things concerning them”
9. 1 Nephi 19:24 - “hear ye the words of the prophet”
10. 1 Nephi 22:2 - “all things are made known unto the prophets”
11. 1 Nephi 22:20 - “a prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you”
12. 2 Nephi 6:12 - “for the Lord God will fulfil His covenants...for this cause the prophet has written these things.”
13. 2 Nephi 9:2 - “[God] has spoken… by the mouth of His holy prophets”
14. 2 Nephi 25:9 - “never hath any of them been destroyed save it were foretold them by the prophets of the Lord”
15. 2 Nephi 25:28 - “for by denying [Christ] ye also deny the prophets and the law”
16. 2 Nephi 26:3 - “and they perish because they cast out the prophets”
17. 2 Nephi 27:5 - “ye have closed your eyes, and ye have rejected the prophets”
18. Jacob 4:6 - “we search the prophets, and we have many revelations and the spirit of prophecy”
19. Jacob 4:13,14 - “for God also spake them unto prophets of old... but...they despised the words of plainness, and killed the prophets”
20. Jacob 5:2 - “Hearken… and hear the words of me, a prophet of the Lord.”
21. Enos 1:22 - “there were exceedingly many prophets among us.  And the people were a stiffnecked people, hard to understand.”
22. Jarom 1:10 - “the prophets of the Lord did threaten the people...according to the word of God”
23. Words of Mormon 1:18 - “laboring with all the might of his body and the faculty of his whole soul and also the prophets, did once more establish peace in the Land”
24. Mosiah 2:34 - “the records… contain the prophecies which have been spoken by the holy prophets”
25. Mosiah 3:13 - “the Lord God hath sent His holy prophets among all the children of men”
26. Mosiah 3:15 - “holy prophets spake unto them concerning [Christ’s] coming”
27. Mosiah 13:33 - “God should redeem His people...all the prophets… have prophesied ever since the world began”
28. Mosiah 15:11 - “all the holy prophets… have prophesied concerning the coming of the Lord”
29. Mosiah 18:19 - “teach nothing save it were the things which he had taught, and which had been spoken by the mouth of the holy prophets”
30. Alma 18:36 - “laid before him the records and the holy scriptures of the people, which had been spoken by the prophets”
31. Alma 20:15 - “they are just men and holy prophets of the true God”
32. Alma 30:6 - “the Anti-Christ.. began to preach unto the people against the prophecies which had been spoken by the prophets”
33. Alma 37:30 - “they murdered all the prophets of the Lord who came among them”
34. Helaman 8:19 - “there have been many prophets that have testified”
35. Helaman 13:24 - “ye do cast out the prophets, and do mock them”
36. Helaman 13:33 - “oh that I had repented, and had not killed the prophets”
37. Helaman 15:7 - “believe the holy scriptures, yea the prophecies of the holy prophets, which are written, which leadeth them to faith on the Lord and unto repentance”
38. Helaman 16:13 - “the words of the prophets began to be fulfilled”
39. 3 Nephi 1:4 - “the prophecies of the prophets began to be fulfilled”
40. 3 Nephi 1:16,18 - “many, who had not believed the words of the prophets” “the prophets had testified of these things for many years”
41. 3 Nephi 5:1 - “there was not a living soul among all the people… who did doubt in the least the words of all the holy prophets”
42. 3 Nephi 6:25 - there were “judges who had condemned the prophets of the Lord”
43. 3 Nephi 7:10 - the leader of secret combinations “had given his voice against the prophets”
44. 3 Nephi 8:25 - “O that we had repented before this great and terrible day, and had not killed and stoned the prophets, and cast them out”
45. 3 Nephi 9:5,7,8,9,11 - “the blood of the prophets and the saints shall not come any more unto me against them.”
46. 3 Nephi 10:12 - “the more righteous part of the people who were saved, and it was they who received the prophets”
47. 3 Nephi 11:10,15 - prophets have always testified of Jesus Christ
48. 3 Nephi 12:12 - “for so persecuted they the prophets”
49. 3 Nephi 25:5 - “I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day”
50. 3 Nephi 29:2 - “the words of the Lord, which have been spoken by the holy prophets, shall all be fulfilled”
51. Ether 7:23-25 - “there came prophets among the people” “the people did revile against the prophets, and did mock them” “[the king] did execute a law throughout all the land which gave power unto the prophets… by this cause the people were brought unto repentance”
52. Ether 8:25 - “they have murdered the prophets, and stoned them, and cast them out from the beginning”
53. Ether 9:28,29 “there came prophets in the land again, crying repentance” “but the people believed not the words of the prophets, but they cast them out”
54. Ether 11:1,2,5 - “there came… many prophets”  “the prophets were rejected” “all the prophets… should be put to death”
55. Ether 11:12,13 - “there came many prophets, and prophesied again” “the people hardened their hearts, and would not hearken unto their words”
56. Ether 11:20,22 - “there … came many prophets” “they did reject all the words of the prophets”
57. Ether 12:2,5 - “a prophet of the Lord… began to prophesy unto the people” “they did not believe because they saw them not”
58. Moroni 7:23 - “God also declared unto prophets”
59. Moroni 8:29 - “after rejecting so great a knowledge… they must perish soon, unto the fulfilling of the prophecies which were spoken by the prophets, as well as the words of our Savior”

60. (And this doesn’t include the  numerous occasions where I found verses that said “according to the words of the prophets” or “spoken by the mouths of the prophets”)