"Some of you may wonder: Is there any future for me? What does a new year hold for me? Will I be safe? Will life be sound? Can I trust in the Lord and in the future? Or would it be better to look back, to go back, to stay in the past? Faith is for the future. Faith builds on the past but never longs to stay there. Faith trusts that God has great things in store for each of us and that Christ truly is the “high priest of good things to come.”
- Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
"He turns not back who is bound to a star"
- Leonardo Da Vinci
The poet Robert Browning wrote:
Grow old along with me!
The best is yet to be,
The last of life, for which the first was made:
Our times are in his hand
Who saith, “A whole I planned,
Youth shows but half; trust God: see all, nor be afraid!”
I LOVE this representation of Christlike love and charity. May we all think of our blessings a little bit longer this year, love a little bit deeper and give a little more as we come to know the King of Kings, the Christ child. Enjoy this beautiful composition as The Mormon Tabernacle Choir presents, My Song in the Night. May we each raise our song to Him as we search for His love this most blessed time of year and always.
During this most wonderful time of year, we each seek for what we might give to those we love. With varying account balances, some with much more monetary means than others, we search for items that would represent our true devotion and thanks for family and friends. We appreciate the kindness and love we receive from others and we desire to show that gratitude in a tangible way. When Christ was born, the wise men came bearing gifts from the East. They presented various and costly oils. The shepherds appeared with their living to offer. If we had the funds I suspect some of the people in our lives would receive some pretty ornate and valuble gifts from us. Think of it this way: We try to pay others thanks for all of the wonderful things they have done for us. If we ponder a moment we realize that Christ has done more for us than the efforts made by any one person or collective group. Then let us truly give thanks unto Him this year, no, not in purchased items or personal belongings but with the gift of our hearts!
As we each progress throughout mortality, we encounter heartache, remorse, pain and all the many diversities of suffering known to man. Some live with the damaging effects of others, some with the death of loved ones, others with deabilitating sicknesses and yet others with a soul burdened by sin. WHATEVER we encounter in this life, there is One who has overcome all things so that we, you and I, do not have to live with the lasting consequences of this life if we turn to Him who can heal ALL wounds. Jesus Christ does live, He does care and He has overcome the world. Find Him and you will find relief.
May we all take the advice given by the Lord
to a prophet who struggled in his day of trial
From the 122 section of the Doctrine and Covenants:
5If thou art called to pass through tribulation; if thou art in perils among false brethren; if thou art in perils among robbers; if thou art in perils by land or by sea;
6If thou art accused with all manner of false accusations; if thine enemies fall upon thee; if they tear thee from the society of thy father and mother and brethren and sisters; and if with a drawn sword thine enemies tear thee from the bosom of thy wife, and of thine offspring, and thine elder son, although but six years of age, shall cling to thy garments, and shall say, My father, my father, why can’t you stay with us? O, my father, what are the men going to do with you? and if then he shall be thrust from thee by the sword, and thou be dragged to prison, and thine enemies prowl around thee like wolves for the blood of the lamb;
7And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.
8The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?
9Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are set, they cannot pass. Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever.
