A Beautiful Fall Day

I snapped these a few weeks ago after our stake conference. It was an incredibly beautiful day, the kind you wish would never end!

 

A Good Samaritan

A Good Samaritan

A week ago, my son went to the temple in preparation for his mission. We had some family there and took some pictures, as you can see above.

While my daughter was setting up the camera on the tripod, we witnessed a good Samaritan performing a miracle.

We were all gathered for the photos when we saw a small child, may be 3 or 4, over by the Tabernacle coming towards us. We couldn't see a parent anywhere near the child.

As the child got closer and closer to Main Street, we left our spot and moved to the sidewalk along our side of the street.  My brother in law was whistling to alert the unseen parents, while the child left the sidewalk and started crossing the grass in the mow strip.

Just as the child was on the grass next to the street, a good Samaritan in a car stopped in the outside lane of Main Street and got out of her car and went and picked up the child.

We were shouting and whistling after we spotted the mother on First East on the other side of the Tabernacle. She came running when she realized that her child had gotten far away from her in just a moment.

Cars were stopping and changing lanes, since the Good Samaritan had left her car in the road. The mother took her child from the Good Samaritan and the Good Samaritan got back in her car and was off. The whole episode was over in 5 minutes, but how glad we were that a tragedy was prevented.

We witnessed a miracle that day.

Jesus Christ, The Savior of Mankind, The Son of God

If someone unfamiliar with Brigham City, the Brigham City Temple, or Mormons stumble across this blog, they might think that this is only about a large, ornate building in a small, Northern Utah town.

I want to dispel that impression right away.  The Brigham City Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints invites us to look heavenward to our Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ, our Redeemer.

Here is what the Book of Mormon says about Christ. (BTW, Mormons believe in the Holy Bible and the Book of Mormon as scripture)

From the Book of Second Nephi:

 

2 Nephi 25:23 For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.

and verse 26:

And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.

Of course, that source is Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Here is what a leader of the Church said about sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others:

"The Lord made it clear at the very start of this last dispensation that we were to take the gospel to all the world. What He said to the few priesthood holders in 1831 He says to the many now. Whatever our age, capacity, Church calling, or location, we are as one called to the work to help Him in His harvest of souls until He comes again."

—Henry B. Eyring

So, if you stumble onto this blog, it is not just about a fancy building in a small Utah town. It is about Jesus Christ, the center of my faith.

Elder Holland and T Rex

I have often listened to General Conference on a Sunday afternoon and thought that the messages were great and uplifting, but alas, I would return to work and the world on Monday morning and be weighed down again, just like the graphic Elder Holland showed in his talk.

However to know that Elder Holland addressed that concern that I have, gave me great comfort and I felt was truly inspired.

So keep trying. Keep trusting. Keep believing. Keep growing. Heaven will be cheering you on today, tomorrow, forever. I will be cheering for you too.  -Elder Holland

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter to the entire world! Because of the Resurrection of Christ, all shall live again; man, woman and child, believers and non-believers of all lands, countries, kingdoms!

John 20: 11 But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,

 12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.

 13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.

 14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.

 15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.

 16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.

 17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

 18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.

 19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

 20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.

 21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

 

Provo City Center Temple

The weather gave us a small break in the inversion yesterday to enjoy the Provo City Center Temple Open house.

The interior is very beautiful, with dark mahogany wood and period stained glass. (Sorry, but I don't have any pictures of the inside.)

Even if you don't have tickets, you can go to the open house, which runs through March 5, 2016.  You might have to stand in line a while, but you will get in to see the temple.

As you may or may not know, Mormons believe in  Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Temples are where we make covenants with God, Our Heavenly Father to obey His commandments.  This, we believe, will enable us to live with Him again in the next life, through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

By the way, the construction of the temple, from the burned out ruins of the Provo Tabernacle was quite a technical achievement. The only thing that remained was the brick shell, which was completely supported on stilts at one point.

Stand ye in Holy Places

Provo City Center Temple

Beautiful videos of the Provo City Center Temple:

 

 

 

Elder Holland's Testimony

I listened to Elder Holland's talk in Sunday School this morning and recalled how great it was.

Take a few minutes and listen. It will be well worth your time.

The Living Christ

The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

“The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles,” dated January 1, 2000, was signed by the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. It was published in the April 2000 Liahona and Ensign.

As we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ two millennia ago, we offer our testimony of the reality of His matchless life and the infinite virtue of His great atoning sacrifice. None other has had so profound an influence upon all who have lived and will yet live upon the earth.

He was the Great Jehovah of the Old Testament, the Messiah of the New. Under the direction of His Father, He was the creator of the earth. “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:3). Though sinless, He was baptized to fulfill all righteousness. He “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38), yet was despised for it. His gospel was a message of peace and goodwill. He entreated all to follow His example. He walked the roads of Palestine, healing the sick, causing the blind to see, and raising the dead. He taught the truths of eternity, the reality of our premortal existence, the purpose of our life on earth, and the potential for the sons and daughters of God in the life to come.

He instituted the sacrament as a reminder of His great atoning sacrifice. He was arrested and condemned on spurious charges, convicted to satisfy a mob, and sentenced to die on Calvary’s cross. He gave His life to atone for the sins of all mankind. His was a great vicarious gift in behalf of all who would ever live upon the earth.

We solemnly testify that His life, which is central to all human history, neither began in Bethlehem nor concluded on Calvary. He was the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten Son in the flesh, the Redeemer of the world.

He rose from the grave to “become the firstfruits of them that slept” (1 Corinthians 15:20). As Risen Lord, He visited among those He had loved in life. He also ministered among His “other sheep” (John 10:16) in ancient America. In the modern world, He and His Father appeared to the boy Joseph Smith, ushering in the long-promised “dispensation of the fulness of times” (Ephesians 1:10).

Of the Living Christ, the Prophet Joseph wrote: “His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying:

“I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father” (D&C 110:3–4).

Of Him the Prophet also declared: “And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!

“For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—

“That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God” (D&C 76:22–24).

We declare in words of solemnity that His priesthood and His Church have been restored upon the earth—“built upon the foundation of … apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (Ephesians 2:20).

We testify that He will someday return to earth. “And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together” (Isaiah 40:5). He will rule as King of Kings and reign as Lord of Lords, and every knee shall bend and every tongue shall speak in worship before Him. Each of us will stand to be judged of Him according to our works and the desires of our hearts.

We bear testimony, as His duly ordained Apostles—that Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God. He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the right hand of His Father. He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son.