He Heals My Heart

I just want to put in a plug for my friend Janet. She just launched a very inspirational blog that she has had in the works for a while. She writes about finding God's grace in today's world and focuses on the hopeful side of her circumstances. Janet has a beautiful perspective of the Lord's hand in her life and she is truly an amazing person who has inspired me in so many ways.

Janet created her website and blog to share her experiences in her ongoing journey to create spiritual, emotional, and physical wellness. She lives in Idaho and shares local resources on her website for eating organic. 


You can visit her blog here: http://www.hehealsmyheart.com/

By the way, Janet is the one who introduced me to (several years ago) most of the books I have recommended on my sidebar about dreams, visions, the last days and near death experiences. 

My Thoughts About General Conference Announcements

I remember last October during conference being in awe about the fact that for the first time in years, no new temples were announced. Then again, this last week the same thing happened. The prophet did say that they continue to pray about the building of new temples and will announce more should that ever be what the Lord tells them. He also said that the church has grown enough that most of the  members are within 200 miles of a temple. It seemed as though that fact was supposed to be an answer that would satisfy the question, why are no new temples being announced?

It was announced that the current temples under construction would continue being built and that they would be finished in 2015. It almost appears as thought the Lord has put a pause on new temple construction beyond 2015. That's the feeling I got even though Pres. Monsen said the process would of temple announcing and building would continue. The Lord clearly has a reason for this and I can't help but wonder if it's because 2015 will be the end of normality before Christ returns. With all that is coming our way in these last days, temple building may have to be put on hold. Whether it be an economic crash, chaos, war, natural disasters or all of the above in unison that occur by the end of 2015, 2016 clearly is a year where something big awaits.

I don't know if anyone else picked up on this but it has been on my mind since last fall. There are currently about thirteen temples in which the groundbreaking dates have not been announced. There are about three temples that are said to be finished in late 2015 and I did see that the Philadelphia temple is scheduled for 2016 even though it was announced that temple completion was set for the remaining temples to be finished in 2015.I found it interesting that they spoke specifically of the year 2015 for temple construction to be complete on all temples currently under construction. What about the temples that have not yet had ground broken?

It seems as though there will be a period of delay in 2016 and then maybe after things have settled down here on Earth, the rest of the temples will be completed and possible new ones announced.

Who knows if I am right on this, but it has really been pressing my mind over the months. I would love to hear your thoughts. Here is the link to the temple list http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/construction/

Why God Gave Us More Than Just the Bible

On Saturday I went to the temple one last time before the baby comes. My husband was so worried that I may go into labor at the temple and urged me to stay home. I knew that I would be just fine especially if I was doing service for the Lord. He didn't seem to comforted by my answer but he knew there wasn't anything he could say to change my mind.

While in the initiatory waiting room, I opened up the Book of Mormon to this random scripture. It's the Lord talking about why He provided us with more scripture than just the Bible and I love what he says.

This is some very powerful scripture and it's almost as if the Lord is saying, "Come on guys - really? You think a Bible is all I gave the world? You think that I only speak to some of my children? Think about it - the planet is big and I'm God. I'm going to do what is needed to speak to ALL of my children. Here is how I have done it and it's foolish for anyone to say otherwise. Realize that all of these books of scripture testify of each other and that I am God." 

2 Nephi 29:3-14

3 And because my words shall hiss forth—many of the Gentiles shall say: A Bible! A Bible! We have got a Bible, and there cannot be any more Bible. 

4 But thus saith the Lord God: O fools, they shall have a Bible; and it shall proceed forth from the Jews, mine ancient covenant people. And what thank they the Jews for the Bible which they receive from them? Yea, what do the Gentiles mean? Do they remember the travails, and the labors, and the pains of the Jews, and their diligence unto me, in bringing forth salvation unto the Gentiles?

5 O ye Gentiles, have ye remembered the Jews, mine ancient covenant people? Nay; but ye have cursed them, and have hated them, and have not sought to recover them. But behold, I will return all these things upon your own heads; for I the Lord have not forgotten my people.

6 Thou fool, that shall say: A Bible, we have got a Bible, and we need no more Bible. Have ye obtained a Bible save it were by the Jews?

7 Know ye not that there are more nations than one? Know ye not that I, the Lord your God, have created all men, and that I remember those who are upon the isles of the sea; and that I rule in the heavens above and in the earth beneath; and I bring forth my word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of the earth?

8 Wherefore murmur ye, because that ye shall receive more of my word? Know ye not that the testimony of two nations is a witness unto you that I am God, that I remember one nation like unto another? Wherefore, I speak the same words unto one nation like unto another. And when the two nations shall run together the testimony of the two nations shall run together also.

9 And I do this that I may prove unto many that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and that I speak forth my words according to mine own pleasure. And because that I have spoken one word ye need not suppose that I cannot speak another; for my work is not yet finished; neither shall it be until the end of man, neither from that time henceforth and forever.

 10 Wherefore, because that ye have a Bible ye need not suppose that it contains all my words; neither need ye suppose that I have not caused more to be written.

 11 For I command all men, both in the east and in the west, and in the north, and in the south, and in the islands of the sea, that they shall write the words which I speak unto them; for out of the books which shall be written I will judge the world, every man according to their works, according to that which is written.

12 For behold, I shall speak unto the Jews and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto the Nephites and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto the other tribes of the house of Israel, which I have led away, and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto all nations of the earth and they shall write it.

13 And it shall come to pass that the Jews shall have the words of the Nephites, and the Nephites shall have the words of the Jews; and the Nephites and the Jews shall have the words of the lost tribes of Israel; and the lost tribes of Israel shall have the words of the Nephites and the Jews.

14 And it shall come to pass that my people, which are of the house of Israel, shall be gathered home unto the lands of their possessions; and my word also shall be gathered in one. And I will show unto them that fight against my word and against my people, who are of the house of Israel, that I am God, and that I covenanted with Abraham that I would remember his seed forever.

This is prophesy that has come to pass. The natives of the American continent have the Book of Mormon and Bible (words of Nephites and words of Jews). The Book of Mormon is also in Jerusalem. What an awesome day it will be when lost tribes return and we have their books of scripture as well. All three books will testify of the same God.

God is amazing and it only makes sense that He would give His word to His children all over the world - especially during a time when there was no internet or printing press. He gave His same word to all of His children and asked their prophets to write it down into a book.

Just think about all of His other worlds and the children living in those worlds. They also have books of scripture with the same word. It really is silly to think that the Bible is the only source of God's word amongst His vast creations. His word is not limited.

The Happy Lady - Making the Most of What Life Gives Us

I released an eBook today that is FREE on Amazon until Saturday! It's a special project dear to my heart and prompted by the Spirit, about the power of a positive attitude. Full of tips, ideas and inspiration all from a gospel perspective - I hope that it helps all who read it, turn their lemons into lemonade. Please share!

http://www.amazon.com/The-Happy-Lady-Making-Gives-ebook/dp/B00IU29JSY/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1394554979&sr=8-4&keywords=lindsey+rietzsch

Angels Singing Caught on Tape?

a church in Kansas City, where there is not only an audible chorus of “Hallelujah” ? meaning “praise God” ? but also the voice of a male soloist who purportedly was not present. The lyrics of the mysterious solo were transcribed as follows:

Hallelujah, ringing all across the land
Everybody’s singing at the Lord’s command
All the saints and the angels up in glory wait to hear the news
of Jesus and his children as they’re coming through.

Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2007/02/40193/#pXC0Qi8bgxYPhru0.99

a church in Kansas City, where there is not only an audible chorus of “Hallelujah” ? meaning “praise God” ? but also the voice of a male soloist who purportedly was not present. The lyrics of the mysterious solo were transcribed as follows:

Hallelujah, ringing all across the land
Everybody’s singing at the Lord’s command
All the saints and the angels up in glory wait to hear the news
of Jesus and his children as they’re coming through.

Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2007/02/40193/#pXC0Qi8bgxYPhru0.99

I stumbled across this today when doing a search for the name of Handel's piece "The Messiah".  I watched it and then researched it a bit and found it to be very interesting. There is no way to verify if it's the real deal and the recording is very poor but I'd love to hear what you think!

a church in Kansas City, where there is not only an audible chorus of “Hallelujah” ? meaning “praise God” ? but also the voice of a male soloist who purportedly was not present. The lyrics of the mysterious solo were transcribed as follows:

Hallelujah, ringing all across the land
Everybody’s singing at the Lord’s command
All the saints and the angels up in glory wait to hear the news
of Jesus and his children as they’re coming through.

Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2007/02/40193/#pXC0Qi8bgxYPhru0.99

a church in Kansas City, where there is not only an audible chorus of “Hallelujah” ? meaning “praise God” ? but also the voice of a male soloist who purportedly was not present. The lyrics of the mysterious solo were transcribed as follows:

Hallelujah, ringing all across the land
Everybody’s singing at the Lord’s command
All the saints and the angels up in glory wait to hear the news
of Jesus and his children as they’re coming through.

Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2007/02/40193/#pXC0Qi8bgxYPhru0.99

This recording is from a church in Kansas City. There is an audible chorus of "Hallelujah" as well as a male soloist who apparently was not present. The lyrics to this solo have been transcribed as follows:

Hallelujah, ringing all across the land
Everybody’s singing at the Lord’s command
All the saints and the angels up in glory wait to hear the news
of Jesus and his children as they’re coming through.
Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2007/02/40193/#pXC0Qi8bgxYPhru0.99

Hallelujah, ringing all across the land
Everybody's singing at the Lord's command
All the saints and the angels up in glory wait to hear the news
of Jesus and his children as their coming through

a church in Kansas City, where there is not only an audible chorus of “Hallelujah” ? meaning “praise God” ? but also the voice of a male soloist who purportedly was not present. The lyrics of the mysterious solo were transcribed as follows:

Hallelujah, ringing all across the land
Everybody’s singing at the Lord’s command
All the saints and the angels up in glory wait to hear the news
of Jesus and his children as they’re coming through.

Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2007/02/40193/#pXC0Qi8bgxYPhru0.99

a church in Kansas City, where there is not only an audible chorus of “Hallelujah” ? meaning “praise God” ? but also the voice of a male soloist who purportedly was not present. The lyrics of the mysterious solo were transcribed as follows:

Hallelujah, ringing all across the land
Everybody’s singing at the Lord’s command
All the saints and the angels up in glory wait to hear the news
of Jesus and his children as they’re coming through.

Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2007/02/40193/#pXC0Qi8bgxYPhru0.9

a church in Kansas City, where there is not only an audible chorus of “Hallelujah” ? meaning “praise God” ? but also the voice of a male soloist who purportedly was not present. The lyrics of the mysterious solo were transcribed as follows:

Hallelujah, ringing all across the land
Everybody’s singing at the Lord’s command
All the saints and the angels up in glory wait to hear the news
of Jesus and his children as they’re coming through.

Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2007/02/40193/#pXC0Qi8bgxYPhru0.99

a church in Kansas City, where there is not only an audible chorus of “Hallelujah” ? meaning “praise God” ? but also the voice of a male soloist who purportedly was not present. The lyrics of the mysterious solo were transcribed as follows:

Hallelujah, ringing all across the land
Everybody’s singing at the Lord’s command
All the saints and the angels up in glory wait to hear the news
of Jesus and his children as they’re coming through.

Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2007/02/40193/#pXC0Qi8bgxYPhru0.99

The Real Face of Joseph Smith the Prophet

Found in the book, Retratos Quase Inocentes

 I came across this daguerreotype that very well could be the only picture we have of the prophet Joseph Smith. I have seen other photos believed to be of the prophet Joseph Smith but to me they look nothing like the death mask or paintings. This picture - at first glance I truly felt it was him. It is an original photo of an unknown honorable man from New York, about 1844.


The blog where I found this picture is  in which the author of the blog describes where the picture came from:

photo copy of daguerrotype from above

Painting by Alvin Gittins

One (fateful?) day, a curious book was placed in my hands. It was a Brazilian book about a museum exhibition of early daguerrotypes. (Daguerrotypes were an early type of photograph.) I flipped through the pages to get a feel for the book, which had, of course, lots of pictures, before I started writing my summary of its contents. I admit, the old pictures were interesting to look at and I may have taken more time than I should have, going through each and every page instead of skipping here and there, but it turned out to be just the thing I needed to do. I turned a page and suddenly was face-to-face with the strangest daguerrotype I had ever seen.

Sculpted by DJ Bawden in 1981, original forensic bust

Unlike the other pictures, which were placed several to a page and had very short text descriptions, this particular daguerrotype was placed on the entire left-hand page and the author of the book used the entire opposite page to write about it. It was obvious that this daguerrotype was considered worthy of more notice than the others. And it did stand out, for it was colorized and set into a frame with a hinged cover, so that it could be closed and carried around and then flipped open to show to people. But the most startling aspect of it was that it appeared to be Joseph Smith himself.

Exact dimensional sketch from a photograph 

I tried my best to read the Portuguese text (using my knowledge of Spanish) and determined that the daguerrotype was acquired from New York in 1844, but nothing else was known about it or its subject. The author of the book proceeded to analyze the pose, dress and face of the man and the exquisite sharpness and quality of the daguerrotype (it was the best preserved of all those in the book), plus the way it was framed, etc., and he came to the conclusion that the man must have thought he was something really special and had a commanding look about him. Perhaps he was a congressman or someone else in authority, etc.

He eventually tracks down the man who bought the photo and writes: 

Mr. Moura has said that he acquired the daguerreotype from the Armory Show in New York City in 1966. He paid 5 or 10 dollars for it. He looked it over himself, but did not see any maker’s marks on it. By comparison with other daguerreotypes, and based on the hair style, collar, suit, etc., he put it at circa 1845. As he acquired it from New York City, it is listed as: New York, c. 1845. He also has confirmed that it is an original daguerreotype, not a copy.

Even more stunning he writes:

A couple of days ago I stumbled upon a blog post entitled, Is this Joseph Smith?, which contains a quote by historian Will Bagley, who said, “Smith recorded having his picture taken in 1844.” Now, I wasn’t aware that Joseph Smith wrote down that he got his picture taken in 1844. I find the fact that the daguerreotype I saw came out of New York in 1844 to be awfully coincidental.

Front and side view of Joseph's death mask compared with photo

It turns out that he was unsuccessful at generating any interest from church leadership to investigate the picture. I'd like to know what you think? I think it looks 100% like Joseph's death mask.

 Sources: http://www.josephsmithimage.com/
 http://ldsanarchy.wordpress.com/2007/10/15/joseph-smiths-daguerrotype-an-appeal-for-help/