How Firm is Your Foundation?

 Here is my takeaway from General Conference.

October General Conference - A Fire Has Been Lit!

My commentary on October General conference messages in relation to current events. A fire has been lit to do what our leaders have asked. Overall theme, "When the world speaks less of Christ, let's speak more of him. Time to build Zion." 

A Message of Most Importance!

Last night as I was on the treadmill, this conference video of President Nelson popped up and it really spoke to me as I had been reflecting on a new video I had just made about what happens after we die. These words particularly jumped out at me as I listened.

"The spirit in each of us naturally yearns for family love to last forever. Love songs perpetuate a false hope that love is all you need if you want to be together forever. And some erroneously believe that the Resurrection of Jesus Christ provides a promise that all people will be with their loved ones after death.

In truth, the Savior Himself has made it abundantly clear that while His Resurrection assures that every person who ever lived will indeed be resurrected and live forever, much more is required if we want to have the high privilege of exaltation. Salvation is an individual matter, but exaltation is a family matter.

Listen to these words spoken by the Lord Jesus Christ to His prophet: “All covenants, contracts, bonds, obligations, oaths, vows, performances, connections, associations, or expectations, that are not made and entered into and sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise … are of no efficacy, virtue, or force in and after the resurrection from the dead; for all contracts that are not made unto this end have an end when men are dead.”

So, what is required for a family to be exalted forever? We qualify for that privilege by making covenants with God, keeping those covenants, and receiving essential ordinances.

I feel to say to my reticent friends:

'In this life, you have never settled for second best in anything. Yet, as you resist fully embracing the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, you are choosing to settle for second best.

“The Savior said, ‘In my Father’s house are many mansions.’10 However, as you choose not to make covenants with God, you are settling for a most meager roof over your head throughout all eternity.'"

I absolutely love this talk and feel it is one of the most important messages we could be sharing right now with our friends, loved ones, and the world! 

Hold to the Rod - Real Deception in Our Day!

This is probably the most important video message I have ever made, which is why I received more interference from the Adversary than any other video I have ever made. I experienced so many tech problems, that I almost wasn't able to publish it. It took 2 weeks! I'll save that story for another video.

Please watch these videos in order, and I recommend watching them at regular speed. ❤️

 

Keep My Channel in Your Prayers!

Please keep my channel in your prayers. YouTube continues to disable comments on my videos. I have been talking back and forth with their customer service and have had an open case for over a month now. As I check in daily for updates I am told, "we are still looking into it" and that a team has been actively trying to figure out why all my videos have been blocked for commenting. Should be a simple fix. My views have dropped 87% in the last 30 days. I believe that my channel is being censored.

The Message I Got From General Conference!

Let's talk updates, recent experiences, happenings in the news, and of course - highlights from April 2019 general conference!

 

Understanding the Covenant Path

A friend of mine typed this up and sent it to me last week and I found it valuable to share here. I had actually been studying the covenant path because it was the theme of General Conference. I was so happy he took the time to organize this in the outline below. As mentioned in my upcoming video message, it's so important for us to re-visit the covenants we have made and understand how they help us become like our Savior.

“The Final Judgment is not just an evaluation of a sum total of good and evil acts—what we have done,” taught Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. “It is an acknowledgment of the final effect of our acts and thoughts—what we have become. It is not enough for anyone just to go through the motions. The commandments, ordinances, and covenants of the gospel are not a list of deposits required to be made in some heavenly account. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan that shows us how to become what our Heavenly Father desires us to become."

COVENANTS I HAVE MADE / STAYING ON THE COVENANT PATH

1) Baptism /Confirmation of Holy Ghost 

Baptismal Covenant - Mosiah 18:8-10 


8 And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;

9 Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—

10 Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?

My Part of the Covenant:

• Serve him & keep his commandments 
• Desire to come into the fold of God
• Take upon you the name of Christ
• MINISTERING
• Bear one another's burdens
• Mourn with those that Mourn
• Comfort those in need of comfort
• Stand as a witness of God in all places 

God's Part of the Covenant:

• Redeem you from your sins
• Numbered you among those of the 1st Resurrection
• Give you Eternal Life 
• Pour his spirit out more abundantly upon you

Sacrament Covenant Renewal

• Blessing on the Bread
• O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it, that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given them; that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.

• Blessing on the Water
• O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this water to the souls of all those who drink of it, that they may do it in remembrance of the blood of thy Son, which was shed for them; that they may witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they do always remember him, that they may have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.

• Eat the bread / in remembrance of his body and be a witness of Him in all places.
• Take his name upon us, keep his Commandments, and always remember him
• Drink the water or wine in remembrance of the blood that he shed in your behalf.
• We are promised that we will have his Spirit to be with us always if we do the above things. 

2) Oath & Covenant of the Priesthood

D&C 84:33-41

33 For whoso is faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods of which I have spoken, and the magnifying their calling, are sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies.

34 They become the sons of Moses and of Aaron and the seed of Abraham, and the church and kingdom, and the elect of God.

35 And also all they who receive this priesthood receive me, saith the Lord;
36 For he that receiveth my servants receiveth me;

37 And he that receiveth me receiveth my Father;

38 And he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father’s kingdom; therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him.

39 And this is according to the oath and covenant which belongeth to the priesthood.

40 Therefore, all those who receive the priesthood, receive this oath and covenant of my Father, which he cannot break, neither can it be moved.

41 But whoso breaketh this covenant after he hath received it, and altogether turneth therefrom, shall not have forgiveness of sins in the world to come. 

My Part of the Covenant: 

• Receive the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods, emphasis on RECEIVE
• Magnify their calling to the priesthood.
•  Receive Christ 
• Receive the father

God's Part if the Covenant: 

• Sanctified / Body Renewed
• Become sons of Aaron, Moses, Abraham
• Become the church, Kingdom, & Elect of God.
• Receive Christ (Second Comforter) 
• Receive the Father (Third Comforter) 
• Receive All the Father Has 

3) Temple Covenants Made During the Endowment 

Sacrifice & Obedience 

• We agree to obey God's laws and keep his commandments. ( Harken)
• Early followers of Christ agreed to keep the law of Sacrifice by following the laws that were given in the Old Testament concerning sacrificing of animals and the first fruits unto God by following the Law of Moses.
• Followers of Christ , after his atonement, Covenant to give unto him a broken heart and a contrite spirit, as well as to sacrifice of themselves. 
• During the temple endowment we receive instructions and make covenants related to our eternal exaltation.

Law of the Gospel & Charge Associated with It 

• The Sermon on the Mount / Sermon at the Temple during Christ's Ministry. The Beatitudes show us a stairway to Christ (see image below).  

3 Nephi 12:1-12

1 Therefore blessed are ye if ye shall believe in me and be baptized, after that ye have seen me and know that I am.

2 And again, more blessed are they who shall believe in your words because that ye shall testify that ye have seen me, and that ye know that I am. Yea, blessed are they who shall believe in your words, and come down into the depths of humility and be baptized, for they shall be visited with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and shall receive a remission of their sins.

3 Yea, blessed are the poor in spirit who come unto me, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 And again, blessed are all they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.

5 And blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

6 And blessed are all they who do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled with the Holy Ghost.

7 And blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

8 And blessed are all the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

9 And blessed are all the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.

10 And blessed are all they who are persecuted for my name’s sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 And blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake;

12 For ye shall have great joy and be exceedingly glad, for great shall be your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets who were before you.

Beatitude Steps

0) Believe in words of God's servants, receive baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost, humble themselves = Baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost, and remission of sins. 

1 Faith & Repentance = Visited by the Holy Ghost, remission of sins. 

2 ) Poor in Spirit (acknowledge your need for and reliance on God) = Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. 

3) Those that Mourn for others and their own sins= Comforted by Holy Ghost. 

4) Meekness = Inherit the earth. 

5) Hunger and thirst after righteousness = Filled with the Holy Ghost. Baptism of Fire.

6) Merciful = Obtain Mercy from the Lord

7) Pure in heart = See God 

 Peacemakers = Children of Christ ( Reborn spiritually into his family) 

9) Persecuted = Heir of the Kingdom of Heaven. 

LIVING THE VIRTUES TAUGHT IN THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT OR AT THE TEMPLE IN BOUNTIFUL. (Treating others as we would like to be treated) 

Charge

• Avoiding Sexual Impurity, Levity & Raucous Living. Avoid speaking evil about the Lord's Elect or Covenant people. Avoiding taking the Lord's name in vain. 

Chastity 

• Fidelity in marriage and Chastity before marriage. Sexual purity. 

Consecration 

• Giving all you have to build the kingdom of God. 

4) Sealing - New and Everlasting Covenant of Marriage

D&C 132:7

7 And verily I say unto you, that the conditions of this law are these: All covenants, contracts, bonds, obligations, oaths, vows, performances, connections, associations, or expectations, that are not made and entered into and sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, of him who is anointed, both as well for time and for all eternity, and that too most holy, by revelation and commandment through the medium of mine anointed, whom I have appointed on the earth to hold this power (and I have appointed unto my servant Joseph to hold this power in the last days, and there is never but one on the earth at a time on whom this power and the keys of this priesthood are conferred), are of no efficacy, virtue, or force in and after the resurrection from the dead; for all contracts that are not made unto this end have an end when men are dead.

• All agreements must be made and sealed by the holy spirit of promise, under priesthood authority delegated by the Prophet.

• All contracts not made in this way have an end when men pass into the spirit world and are not effective after the Ressurection.

Insight from General Conference & A Message for Now!

Here it is! What a powerful and important message I have taken away not only from General Conference, but also from the top news stories of last week. It all fits together. Did you notice too? After 18 hours of filming, editing, and uploading, I'm happy to announce that my 10-day social media fast begins right now! See you all after the 22nd. :)

A Battle For Your Mind - & An Epic General Conference!

Yay! I am so excited that this day has finally arrived. This General Conference should one we never forget. I have the orange rolls rising in the oven and spent some time in the early hours this morning being with the Lord. I am so ready to hear the inspired new messages that the Lord will reveal to us today. I pasted links below if you'd like to watch.

In this week's video message I share about more symbolism in local and world events as well as the battle that is raging right now within the kingdoms, the world, and our very own minds. How can we come prepared to the battle? Watch to find out.

WATCH GENERAL CONFERENCE LIVE TODAY AND TOMORROW:
https://www.lds.org/

RE-WATCH PAST BROADCAST:
https://www.lds.org/general-conference?cid=HP16GC&lang=eng

Did the Shift Finally Happen?

What a historical and incredible General conference! This week's video message is about the theme and message of conference. Did the Heavenly shift mentioned in last week's video message come to pass? Do we really understand the magnitude of living in the hour of 11:59 pm?

An Important Week Indeed!

Happy Palm Sunday everyone! For those who need a refresher, here are some facts about this special day:

• Palm Sunday is a Christian moveable feast that falls on the Sunday before Easter. The feast commemorates Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, an event mentioned in each of the four canonical Gospels. It initiates Holy Week, the last week of Lent.

• In many Christian denominations, such as the Lutheran, Methodist, Catholic, Reformed, Presbyterian, and Anglican Churches, worship services on Palm Sunday include a procession of the faithful carrying palms, representing the palm branches the crowd scattered in front of Jesus as he rode into Jerusalem. The difficulty of procuring palms in unfavorable climates led to their substitution with branches of native trees, including box, olive, willow, and yew. The Sunday was often named after these substitute trees, as in Yew Sunday, or by the general term Branch Sunday.

• In the accounts of the four canonical Gospels, Jesus's triumphal entry into Jerusalem takes place about a week before his Resurrection.

• Christian theologians believe that the symbolism is captured prophetically in the Old Testament: Zechariah 9:9 "The Coming of Zion's King – See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey". It suggests that Jesus was declaring he was the King of Israel to the anger of the Sanhedrin.

• According to the Gospels, Jesus Christ rode a donkey into Jerusalem, and the celebrating people there laid down their cloaks and small branches of trees in front of him, and sang part of Psalm 118: 25–26 – ... Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless you from the house of the Lord ....

• The symbolism of the donkey may refer to the Eastern tradition that it is an animal of peace, versus the horse, which is the animal of war.[1] A king would have ridden a horse when he was bent on war and ridden a donkey to symbolize his arrival in peace. Jesus's entry to Jerusalem would have thus symbolized his entry as the Prince of Peace, not as a war-waging king.

This time of year also brings on the remembrance of the Resurrection and is the time for General Conference. I am sure getting excited for conference! There has been talk that some big changes are expected to be announced. Not sure the source of these rumors, but either way I am always excited for conference.

Another event that is remembered this week is Passover. This week will mark the first time I celebrate passover with my family. This is something I have always wanted to do and I have shared in past posts some great links that are LDS centered on how to best celebrate passover as a family. In years past I have wanted to do this, but have always remembered when it was too late. This year will be different!

In church news this week I found this article pretty exciting; President and Sister Nelson as well as Elder and Sister Holland are embarking on a world ministry tour where they will visit 8 cities. There is that number again. I have talked about quite a bit in this year's video messages. It continues to be an exciting year! :)

https://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/president-nelson-global-ministry-tour-locations?cid=HP_FR-23-3-2018_dPAD_fMNWS_xLIDyL1-C_

Developing a Personal Relationship With Jesus Christ - Powerful Testimonies

This topic seems to be growing in great interest in many circles as of lately. I couldn't refrain from sharing what the Spirit has taught me. 

Did you know there are about twelve experiences recorded in the New Testament of Jesus personally visiting his apostles and disciples in between His Crucifixion and final ascension into Heaven? In fact, during one of those visitations He appeared above a group of 500 bretheren all at the same time. Paul tells us of some of those accounts,

"And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:

After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.

And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time."  1 Corinthians 15:4-8

When Jesus finally ascended into Heaven there were two angels that said to His apostles,

"...Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." 

As we reflect on the timeline and process of Jesus' ascension we see that His final ascension into Heaven was preceded by many visitations in the flesh. If He is to return in the same manner that He left (from the Heavens), would that mean that the process might also be the same? A succession of visits and appearances in the flesh to His chosen servants leading up to His final return and descent to the earth?

When the Savior ministered for 40 days following His crucixicition, He was preparing His disciples for their approaching missions. Luke states that during the 40-day ministry the Savior spoke “of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God,” Mark concurs that Jesus’ final instructions to his disciples included the charge to go “into all the world, and preach.” Mark 16:15 Could it be that prior to His return, He will in likewise manner appear unto His disciples all over the world and give them instruction for their last days missions, to gather in the final harvest? Will He again share precious things pertaining to the Kingdom of God?

In the Book of Mormon it is recorded in Third Nephi that during 34 A.D. the resurrected Savior visited the American continent and ministered to the Nephite people in the flesh. He spoke of many things that "no tongue can speak, neither can there be written by any man, neither can the hearts of men conceive so great and marvelous things" (seen and heard). 3 Nephi 17:17   Could the Savior have been speaking in Heavenly tongues? And might this have created the powerful event as the veil was opened and angels ministered unto the people? They too were taught many beautiful truths pertaining to the Kingdom of God. 

In 3 Nephi 18:25, Jesus commands them to feel Him and to see Him, then to likewise go unto the world and preach this commandment.  

"And ye see that I have commanded that none of you should go away, but rather have commanded that ye should come unto me, that ye might feel and see; even so shall ye do unto the world; and whosoever breaketh this commandment suffereth himself to be led into temptation."

As we think about the many lands and nations upon the earth that forbid proselyting, evangelism, and the practicing of Christianity, we might wonder how these people will ever learn of Jesus Christ and know that He is their personal Savior? Could it be that the Lord will work upon them in like manner as He did the Nephite people, Alma the Younger, or the Apostle Paul?

As scripture says, the apostle Paul (prior to his conversion) was traveling on the road from Jerusalem to Damascus on a mission to arrest any who were preaching of Jesus Christ, when the resurrected Jesus appeared to him in a great light. He was struck blind, but after three days his sight was restored by Ananias of Damascus and Paul began to preach that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah and the Son of God.

Could the Lord appear to those who have not known Him, and choose them to His ministry? To gather in the fold from their part of the world to prepare for the greater gathering that is to come? Could this be the first step toward their receiving the fullness of the gospel? Could the Lord already be preparing His people right now? 

As you ponder that question, I'd like to share with you some scripture, followed by some of my most favorite interviews of those who did not know Jesus was their Savior until they had their own Divine encounters with Him. We are talking  Jews, Muslims, atheists, occult members, and those in communist countries where Christianity is forbidden. 

Just how can we explain people of diverse or non-Christian faiths having such encounters, conversions, and callings? In Moroni 7:24-26 Moroni tells us, 

"And behold, there were divers ways that he did manifest things unto the children of men, which were good; and all things which are good cometh of Christ; otherwise men were fallen, and there could no good thing come unto them.

Wherefore, by the ministering of angels, and by every word which proceeded forth out of the mouth of God, men began to exercise faith in Christ; and thus by faith, they did lay hold upon every good thing; and thus it was until the coming of Christ.

And after that he came men also were saved by faith in his name; and by faith, they become the sons of God. And as surely as Christ liveth he spake these words unto our fathers, saying: Whatsoever thing ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is good, in faith believing that ye shall receive, behold, it shall be done unto you."

In Moroni 7:30 Moroni tells us the purpose of ministering angels and just who they visit;

"For behold, they are subject unto him, to minister according to the word of his command, showing themselves unto them of strong faith and a firm mind in every form of godliness.

And the office of their ministry is to call men unto repentance, and to fulfil and to do the work of the covenants of the Father, which he hath made unto the children of men, to prepare the way among the children of men, by declaring the word of Christ unto the chosen vessels of the Lord, that they may bear testimony of him.

And by so doing, the Lord God prepareth the way that the residue of men may have faith in Christ, that the Holy Ghost may have place in their hearts, according to the power thereof; and after this manner bringeth to pass the Father, the covenants which he hath made unto the children of men."

No, they do not focus on those who are near perfect, rather they call the imperfect to repentance. He declares His word unto those whom He chooses (whom he has called to repentance) so that they may bear testimony of Him. And let me tell you, these kinds of conversions make the best testimonies, and often lead to even greater conversions. He does this to prepare a way for men to have faith in Him, so the Holy Ghost may have a place in their hearts. This prepares the way (the desire to receive) to the fullness of the gospel and the covenants. 

Just as there are diverse ways that He manifests truths to the children of men Moroni tells us there are also diverse ways that He administers gifts of the Spirit to all men. He reminds us that God cannot be put in a box. As we encounter others (using our gift of discernment) who have received spiritual gifts in a manner that seems "outside the box" He reminds us that they (all good gifts that bear good fruit)  are all from the same God. We need not fear or doubt them. These gifts are given by the manifestations of the Spirit of God in which He has said are manifested in different ways. 

"And again, I exhort you, my brethren, that ye deny not the gifts of God, for they are many; and they come from the same God. And there are different ways that these gifts are administered; but it is the same God who worketh all in all; and they are given by the manifestations of the Spirit of God unto men, to profit them."

These scriptures I have shared contain a wealth of treasure and I encourage you to ponder them with sincere prayer. 

I hope you enjoy the videos of the beautiful testimonies (shared below) as much as I have, but before you watch them, I'd like to share some of my most favorite quotes from the recent General Conference about attaining our own personal relationship with our Savior Jesus Christ. Per the Stake President's message shared at our recent stake conference, that's the most important thing we should be seeking right now. I have felt a strong witness of the truth of that. It has been the theme of my stake conference as well as General Conference. Did you hear it too?

“'Thou shalt abide in me, and I in you; therefore walk with me.' Do we trust Him enough to abide in Him and walk with Him?" Neill F. Marriott

"If you will hear Him, He will speak to you this very day."  President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"...we must bring the Savior into our life—into our very being—that we may be one. How does this happen?

...spend much time in secret with Jesus alone

...If we yearn to dwell in Christ and have Him dwell in us, then holiness is what we seek, in both body and spirit." Elder D. Todd Christofferson

"Make time and take time to come to know Jesus Christ..." Jean B. Bingham

CONCLUSION

Could the apostles be encouraging us to seek the Lord so that we might come to know Him in a way that we never imagined possible? So, that when He comes to us we will know Him because we will be like Him? The imagination is a powerful gift that the Lord has given us, are we using it enough? If we can visualize it first, we can bring it to life with faith. The Lord calls many to His work, but few say "yes Lord". It is my prayer that with great zeal we say "yes" when He calls.  

Let's Talk General Conference! (Part 2)

I had some strong headwinds this week while trying to save and upload part 2 of this video! I spent days and hours trying to fix program bugs, errors, and even cleaning out unexpected viruses. After several tutorials and starting to feel defeated, I came to the realization that maybe...just maybe there were darker forces at play here.

My YouTube channel got slammed over the last 24 hours with cruel & attacking comments. People appearing as fellow church members who were trolling my videos, and overwhelming the comment feed. These types of comments are never published and always deleted. My YouTube channel as well as this blog, are to be places where the Spirit is cultivated and contention is not tolerated. The thought came to me about why the internet community has given these types of people the name "trolls".

The Urban Dictionary defines a troll as - "One who posts a deliberately provocative message to a newsgroup or message board with the intention of causing maximum disruption and argument."

The Wikipedia defines mythological trolls as:

"In Norse mythology, beings described as "trolls" dwell in isolated rocks, mountains, or caves, live together in small family units, and are rarely described as helpful or friendly. 

The Old Norse term for "troll"  is used to denote various beings, such as a jötunn or mountain-dweller, a witch,  an evil spirit, a ghost, a blámaðr, a magical boar, a heathen demi-god, a demon, a brunnmigi, or a berserker.

Later, in Scandinavian folklore, trolls became beings in their own right, where they live far from human habitation, are not Christianized, and are considered dangerous to human beings."

No, they are not like the cute little creatures in the animated cartoons. I truly feel that there are certain individuals ("cyber bullies", "trolls", etc.) who are being influenced by evil, and who can attack us with unseen forces of darkness. Servants of the adversary whether they realize it or not.

I blessed my computer, prayed over the programs, commanded all darkness out of my home, electrical circuits, wireless transmission etc. and asked the Lord to cease all efforts of the enemy against me. After doing so, the programs all began to run smoothly again, and without any further problems, my video saved successfully and uploaded quickly!

Sharing the messages of General Conference surely must be a powerful weapon of Light that Satan is not thrilled about. He did not want this video to happen. However, with the Lord on our side we can be victorious against darkness!

P.S....you better believe that I pray for my enemies - even the trolls :)

Release Binding Words & Let's Talk General Conference! (Part 1)

Words can be binding. They either work for us or against us. In this week's video message I share an experience I had about releasing binding words and explain how it changed a relationship. Also, I discuss several gems and themes that I pulled from last week's LDS General Conference. It truly was a conference full of treasure! Plus a little more about the wheat and the tares.


 

General Conference - Did You Notice?

I am just loving General Conference! In next week's video message, I'll be touching on all of my favorite parts. Stay tuned...

In the meantime, I shared in last week's video message that I had noticed at Women's conference (on the song 'True to the Faith' ) there were no lyrics posted on the congregational hymns. Did you notice this too? In our chapel, the women were partially silent, some humming along as they fumbled for phones and hymn books trying to find the lyrics.

In that moment, I had the impression that we were being taught to know our hymns. Not just sing them from the books, but really KNOW them. I felt the Spirit say that we are to study our hymns and know them by heart - every single one.

Possible scenarios came to mind of future times when we may not have access to our hymn books or scriptures. Whether because of natural disasters, war, or unexpected events - wherever we live throughout the world, we may one day find ourselves temporarily or permanently without our material possessions. We may find ourselves in frightful or uncertain situations, at which times we could really benefit from the power of singing our hymns, and reciting scripture verses. Through singing we can offer comfort and strength to others.

Do you know your hymns? Do you know your scriptures? There is real power in knowing the Word. I recently wrote a post earlier this year (click here to read) about the power of the hymns - and facts most people don't know. There have been certain hymns I have been led to study this year. Study the lyrics, the melody, and the story behind the lyrics. There is a wealth of spiritual knowledge in our hymn books.

April 2017 Womens Conference

Then today I noticed again, that all of the congregational songs did not have the lyrics posted on the TV screen. It would be so easy to add them, it has never been a problem before, By now I knew that it clearly wasn't an accident. The leaders want us to know our hymns. The Lord wants us to know our hymns.

I was curious to see what other members of the church were saying about this change in sans lyrics. In my search, I discovered that the lyrics were also missing from April 2017 conference. Here are some comments I found in LDS forum. https://tech.lds.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=28519

One commenter wrote:

"We are no longer broadcasting the lyrics to the Congregational Hymn. Why, you ask? 
All the world receives the same video feed. We then add over 90 live languages to that video. In a global church, it no longer makes sense to have everyone view the English lyrics on their screen. 
So grab your Hymnal, or check out the LDS Music app and sing along in whichever language you prefer!"

The identity of the commenter is not verified, therefore this could be the commenter's own opinion. Many responded by asking why the screen does not at least list the hymn page number. I had the thought that most likely the hymn books throughout the world are probably not the same. Why would countries outside of the United States sing American patriotic songs such as "America the Beautiful" and the "Star-Spangled Banner"? I looked into it and discovered that the German hymn book for example has 210 hymns and the American Hymn Book has 341 hymns. That's a big difference! So page numbers would not be the same for a particular hymn, depending on where you live in the world.

We have been a global church for years, and have always had subtitles on the screen. It's interesting that they no longer include them. I truly feel it is a push to know our hymns.

April 2015 Women's Conference

In regards to International Hymn Books, did you know?


The journey to producing an international version of the hymnbook begins with a request from an Area Presidency. Following approval, a years-long process begins that involves the Area Presidency, a local committee made up of those with musical knowledge, and the Church’s General Music Committee.

International hymnbooks typically comprise 200 to 206 hymns: Church headquarters provides a standard list of 104 hymns and a recommended list of 50 hymns from the English hymnbook. All language hymnbooks include the standard list, and most include all those on the recommended list.

The remaining hymns may be chosen by the area committee. Many of these are selected from the current English hymnbook. A few may come from former hymnbooks in the language. Some hymns indigenous to the country may also be chosen.

This structure allows for a wide variety in the number of hymns, as well as what hymns, an international hymnbook may contain. The Kekchi Hymns, for instance, contains the maximum 206 hymns. The Icelandic version, however, includes 120. (The Children’s Songbook has 139 standard songs, with nine pages allowed for areas to fill with personal choices.)

Once the list of hymns is finalized, local translators and sometimes translators from headquarters carefully work through the difficult process of rendering the hymns into the language.

“You want it to say what the English says, and to mean what the English means as closely as possible,” Brother Peck explained. “And you also want to maintain the poetic structure, matching as much as you can the poetic structure and rhythmic accentuation patterns.”

Although they try to match the translation to the original as closely as possible, sometimes small changes—the addition of an extra note or the tying of two notes together—are necessary to preserve musicality. A scriptures committee checks to make sure everything is doctrinally correct before the international version is typeset—the final step before the hymnbook is released.

“Translating text for music is difficult. You can translate it literally, losing the poetry, or you can translate it poetically and lose the meaning. Finding a happy medium and still matching the text with the music is an art,” said Diane Bastian - music manager for the Church.

“Our sacred music prepares us to be taught the truths of the gospel,” Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has taught in explaining why The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints uses a standard hymnbook. He continued, “We need to make more use of our hymns to put us in tune with the Spirit of the Lord, to unify us, and to help us teach and learn our doctrine.”

https://www.lds.org/church/news/international-hymnbooks-unify-saints-around-the-world?lang=eng

In the moment last weekend during the hymn "True to the Faith", I felt impressed to study and learn more about this hymn. I was sad I did not know it by heart - as I have always loved the lyrics. This hymn has a powerful message and it rings loud and clear with what I have been sharing about forsaking false traditions and holding tight to the iron rod, while always seeking the Lord's will before your own.

1. Shall the youth of Zion falter
In defending truth and right?
While the enemy assaileth,
Shall we shrink or shun the fight? No!

True to the faith that our parents have cherished,
True to the truth for which martyrs have perished,
To God’s command,
Soul, heart, and hand,
Faithful and true we will ever stand.

2. While we know the pow’rs of darkness
Seek to thwart the work of God,
Shall the children of the promise
Cease to grasp the iron rod? No!

True to the faith that our parents have cherished,
True to the truth for which martyrs have perished,
To God’s command,
Soul, heart, and hand,
Faithful and true we will ever stand.

3. We will work out our salvation;
We will cleave unto the truth;
We will watch and pray and labor
With the fervent zeal of youth. Yes!

True to the faith that our parents have cherished,
True to the truth for which martyrs have perished,
To God’s command,
Soul, heart, and hand,
Faithful and true we will ever stand.

4. We will strive to be found worthy
Of the kingdom of our Lord,
With the faithful ones redeemed
Who have loved and kept his word. Yes!

True to the faith that our parents have cherished,
True to the truth for which martyrs have perished,
To God’s command,
Soul, heart, and hand,
Faithful and true we will ever stand

Evan Stephens

Evan Stephens (the composer of this hymn) has contributed 18 Hymns to our current Church hymnal. He lived from 1854-1930. As a child he had a great desire to learn and perform music. He also spent 26 years as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Director. Stephens grew the choir to 300 members, created the current tiered and curved seating arrangement, and was conducting when the Choir was first successfully recorded.

Evan Stephens

The multiple messages all directed at the youth in this Church hymn could easily peg it as Stephens favorite. He wrote “True to the Faith” to be “spiritual advice” to the youth. This is clear by the themes he has included: chastity, commitment, honesty, and worthiness.

How wonderful to have a song specifically designed to strengthen the youth. The rising generation always have a big burden to carry. This song is perfect for buoying up the youth and reminding the youth why they shall not falter.

In the day and age that we live in, I do see the wisdom in learning our hymns. Though it was a subtle change at conference, that not everyone noticed -  I'd love to hear your thoughts about it.