Opening the Scriptures

Now Aaron began to open the scriptures unto them concerning the coming of Christ, and also concerning the resurrection of the dead, and that there could be no redemption for mankind save it were through the death and sufferings of Christ, and the atonement of his blood. Alma 21: 9

The missionaries "opened" the scriptures for us when they started teaching us about the gospel of Jesus Christ. Prior to 1981 Joe and I had some knowledge of the scriptures, Joe more than I did. Beginning in 1981, the scriptures, their message, and the Spirit that comes with them became an integral part of our lives. We will forever be grateful for this "opening" which allowed the light of Christ to come into our souls. 

Things Will Get Better

Every one of us has times when we need to know things will get better. For emotional health and spiritual stamina, everyone needs to be able to look forward to some respite, to something pleasant and renewing and hopeful, whether that blessing be near at hand or still some distance ahead.

My declaration is that this is precisely what the gospel of Jesus Christ offers us, especially in times of need. There is help. There is happiness. There really is light at the end of the tunnel. It is the Light of the World, the Bright and Morning Star, the “light that is endless, that can never be darkened” (Mosiah 16:9). It is the very Son of God Himself.

To any who may be struggling to see that light and find that hope, I say, hold on. Keep trying. God loves you. Things will improve. Even if you cannot always see that silver lining on your clouds, God can, for He is the very source of the light you seek. He does love you, and He knows your fears. He hears your prayers.

Some blessings come soon, some come late, and some don’t come until heaven, but for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come. Of that I personally attest. Jeffrey R. Holland 

Posted on Facebook June 25, 2020

River of Pink

I tried to lose myself in the beauty

of this river of azaleas

Delighting and Pondering

 
Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard.    2 Nephi 4: 16   

These days I find myself with much time and inclination to ponder things of the Lord. 

Knowing

When talking of things of God, people often use the words hope or believe. Sometimes you hear someone say she "knows" something related to God and you wonder how a person can have certain knowledge about anything pertaining to God. My own experiences with God encompass questioning, hoping, having faith, believing and yes, knowing some things for certain. 

Behold, I say unto you they are made known unto me by the Holy Spirit of God. Behold, I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit; and this is the spirit of revelation which is in me.  Alma 5:46

There are moments in which we are connect with God and somehow we recognize the connection and we know that God knows we are connected. It’s difficult to articulate but it’s very real; it’s very clear what is happening. 

Joseph Smith expressed it this way "What I received was from heaven. I know it, and I know that God knows that I know it." 

"... spiritually defining memories from our book of life are like luminous stones that help brighten the road ahead, assuring us that God knows us, loves us, and has sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to help us return home." Neil Andersen

As I journey on the path of discipleship, I continue to question, hope, and believe. And I treasure those sacred experiences when I know. 

Topsy Turvy

Recently I used the phrase "topsy turvy" and realized I didn't know its origin. 

'Topsy-turvy' ... refers to the top and bottom being interchanged from their usual places. ... 'Topsy' is clearly an allusion to 'top'. 'Turvy' isn't so easy to interpret. The numerous variant spellings in early citations, which include tervy, tirvy, turvy, turvie etc., don't offer much in the way of a clue as to the meaning of the word. It may be an adaptation of the medieval verb 'tirve', meaning 'to turn or to topple over'. It has also been suggested that 'turvy' is an allusion to 'turf' and that 'topsy-turvy' means 'with one's head on the turf'. That's possible, but none of the early citations of the phrase make any such allusion.

The term has been recorded since at least the 16th century, for example, this piece from Richard Eden's The decades of the newe worlde, 1555:

"They say that... they see the houses turne topsy turuye, and men to walke with theyr heeles vpwarde."  (source)

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