The Spirit of Christmas

In the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season I think we all need this reminder sometimes. Watch this video and remember the true Spirit of Christmas.

Elderly Example

After watching this video I am reminded of a moment I had a few weeks ago as I sat in Relief Society. There is a very neat elderly lady in my ward. She receives a ride to church each Sunday and help making her way down the hall to the classrooms and she never misses. When she speaks she is filled with the Spirit. This particular Sunday I watched as two sisters helped her put on her coat. It was a simple moment and yet I was deeply touched...not so much by the small act of service but more so by the dedication of this wonderful women and her great attitude toward life. She struggles with ordinary tasks such as putting on her own coat but often you see her make her way to the stand to bear testimony. She is a great example to me.

Christ: The Real Gift of Christmas

"The gift of Christmas isn't wrapped up in presents or parties. The gift of Christmas is Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten of the Father, the Son of God. As you follow Him, you put people first. You may spend less time in lines and more time serving others. You may spend less money on - and more time with – the people you love. You may lose yourself and you may find everything else that matters."

This wonderful quote comes from the Christmas page found on LDS.org. Here you can find activities to do with your children, traditions you may want to start with your family, Christmas videos and much more. All of these things are meant to help us "Simplify our Christmas by embracing the spiritual side of the season."

Thanksgiving: Pondering the Privilege

For many months my little family has been a part of a wonderful journey. We have met in our home many times with a wonderful couple and the missionaries on many Friday afternoons and talked about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We have felt the Spirit and learned a lot along the way but we have seen some ups and downs and wondered what the outcome would be. A little over a week ago the outcome was certain as our little family sat in our Stake Center and witnessed a baptism. It was not of an 8 year old child from the ward but of an adult who made the decision to enter the waters of baptism. I have not been to a baptism in a long time and have never witnessed a baptism of a covert. I felt the Spirit so strongly that day and it was strongly confirmed to me once again that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true. I felt so happy for him and was reminded of how blessed I am to be a member of the Church.

Just a little over a week later in Relief Society on the board was written:

PONDER the privilege it is to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

I thought back to the baptism and the Spirit that I felt there, I thought back to the Sacrament meeting earlier that morning where he received the Holy Ghost, I thought back to my childhood growing up in a home with the Gospel and again I was reminded of the great blessing it is to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We have so much and we know so much.

This Thanksgiving season I have so many things to be grateful for, big and small. I am grateful for my sweet family, for the little things that brighten my day like my little boys laughter, and I am especially grateful this year for my membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am so grateful for my testimony. I am so thankful for the guidance that the scriptures, a living prophet, and the gift of the Holy Ghost give me in my life. In a time when the world is chaotic, busy, and wicked I am very grateful to know of God's plan for me and to know what I need to do to make it back to Him.

Enjoy this short video of what other's are thankful for and Count Your Blessings.


What are you thankful for this year?

To watch more videos or to read more on gratitude visit the GRATITUDE Topic Page.

Sacrament Meeting Was Missing Something

So I attended a ward other than my own this last Sunday. It was a good meeting, somewhat interesting, but good. But as the meeting kept rolling and then came to a close it was obvious the meeting was lacking. It was a fast and testimony meeting but even with the testimonies that were shared something was missing.

I sat near the back in the cultural hall. As always the meeting began with an opening hymn and there was not a book in sight in the back where I sat. I don't recall exactly what song was played. It was not an unusual hymn but one that we don't all know the words to without a book in front of us. I sat and hummed along but wished I could sing the words.

Then the sacrament hymn rolled around and again it wasn't an unusual song choice but still not one of the most common. Again, I looked around for a book and again I began to hum along. No one near me had a hymn book and thus no one sang along. Although those in front had books I felt as if there were only a handful of people singing this hymn about our Savior. The room felt quiet and the words could not be heard.

The meeting closed with yet another hymn of less than familiar words and yet again I hummed along. In some ways I felt robbed of a portion of the meeting that I must so often take for granted. I felt an inner battle and desire to sing out. Because I was unable to participate in the meeting by singing the Hymns and because others didn't take the opportunity to participate I felt that I couldn't fully wrap myself in the Spirit of the meeting.

I have never to this point fully realized the power that the Hymns have in our meetings and in our lives. I missed them last week and I fully enjoyed the Spirit that they brought to the meeting this week as I sung out.

What is the Book of Mormon?

I just discovered this wonderful page about the Book of Mormon on LDS.org. It answers questions such as What is the Book of Mormon, How can reading the Book of Mormon affect my life, and How can I know for myself that the Book of Mormon is true?

From this page you can read testimonies of modern prophets about the Book of Mormon, you can request a free copy of the Book of Mormon and much more.

I personally have a testimony of the Book of Mormon. I know that it is the Word of God. I know that Joseph Smith did see God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. I know that he translated the plates and brought forth the Book of Mormon in our day. I know that the Book of Mormon is Another Testament of Jesus Christ and that if we read it we can become more Christ-like and draw nearer to our Heavenly Father.

I know that I have received answers to prayers while reading the Book of Mormon. I know that I have found peace in the words of the Book of Mormon. I know that I am happier when I make my studies of the Book of Mormon a greater priority in my life. The Book of Mormon is true. Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. Jesus Christ is our Savior and Examplar.

If you'd like to learn more about the Book of Mormon please visit this great site.