Moroni 8

"For behold that all little children are alive in Christ, and also all they that are without the law. For the power of redemption cometh on all them that have no law; wherefore, he that is not condemned, or he that is under no condemnation, cannot repent; and unto such baptism availeth nothing—" (22).

I read this and I immediately thought of my uncle who has down syndrome. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a website about Disability Resources located at LDS.org/disability. Within it was the following, which fits very well with this particular chapter:

Q: What are the guidelines as to whether or not a child with an intellectual disability may be baptized? 

A: This is a matter between parents, the child, and local priesthood leaders. If the child has a basic understanding of gospel principles and wishes to be baptized, then baptism may be possible.

What can we do? How can we be respectful of the Children of God with disabilities?

Moroni 7

Moroni 7 is probably my most favorite chapter within the Book of Mormon. Moroni quotes a teaching made by his father Mormon where he speaks of faith, hope, and charity.

When you are a peaceable follower of Christ, you find you have obtained hope to enter the rest of the Lord which is spiritual rest. You don't have to worry about things of the world. You know that you have the eternities as long as you do what is right, and you follow Christ (3-4).

You will know those who are followers of Christ because of what they do. If what they do is good, then they are also good (5). People being evil cannot do good because it doesn't benefit them, unless they do it with real intent (6). If a gift is given grudgingly it is counted as if it hadn't been given (8). Those that are followers of Christ are selfless. They care and love others. They give with real intent of heart.

Also, this chapter contains one of my most favorite scriptures, Moroni 7:13:

"But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God."

Moroni 6

I love Moroni 6. It shows how The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the restored church from the one Jesus Christ organized among the ancient people long ago.

Moroni 5

Elder L. Tom Perry gave a talk entitled "The Sabbath and the Sacrament" in the April 2011 General Conference.

Moroni 4

Why is the Sacrament so important?

"Today the sacrament is an ordinance in which Church members partake of bread and water in remembrance of Jesus Christ's atoning sacrifice. This ordinance is an essential part of worship and spiritual development. Through this ordinance, Church members renew the covenants they made with God when they were baptized" ("Sacrament").

Within the Sacrament prayer of the bread, we are to eat in remembrance of the body of Jesus Christ. We are to always remember him. We are to keep his commandments. We should do this that we may always have his spirit to be with us (3).

We are to have Jesus Christ the center of our lives. Ways you can do that: pray morning and night, read the scriptures daily, serve others. Everything you do you should have Christ be the center of it all. Have your focus be on Christ.

Moroni 3

"In the name of Jesus Christ I ordain you to be a priest (or if he be a teacher, I ordain you to be a teacher) to preach repentance and remission of sins through Jesus Christ, by the endurance of faith on his name to the end. Amen" (3).

From this I learn that ordained priests and teachers are to preach repentance. They are to preach remission of sins. Both which are made possible only through Jesus Christ. They are to preach the way to do so is through endurance of faith on Jesus Christ.

Endure to the end. Stay faithful in Christ. Be righteous. Do good continually. Preach good to the world.

Moroni 2

"The words of Christ, which he spake unto his adisciples, the twelve whom he had chosen, as he laid his hands upon them—


"And he called them by name, saying: Ye shall call on the Father in my name, in mighty prayer; and after ye have done this ye shall have power that to him upon whom ye shall lay your hands, ye shall give the Holy Ghost; and in my name shall ye give it, for thus do mine apostles" (1-2).


I believe there are several lessons to learn from this.

Moroni 1

The entirety of Moroni 1 could be posted upon this post. It's simply four verses long. But it's where he says: "And I, Moroni, will not deny the Christ; wherefore, I wander whithersoever I can for the safety of mine own life" (3).

If I were in Moroni's position could I also stand up for my beliefs? Not just my beliefs, but my testimony, the things I know to be truth? I think I could. God grants man a lot of strength when we are doing what we are supposed to do. I wouldn't, and don't, fear death. Why? Because it's only a phase. I've lived my life the best I could, and when I make mistakes I work hard to correct them, to repent. Obviously, death is a grievous thing and you do your best to avoid it. But don't ever deny Christ, else you truly will be lost forever.

Ether 15

Ether 15 is the last chapter in Ether. Within it shows the destruction of an entire people. "There had been slain two millions of mighty men, and also their wives and their children" (2). That wasn't the end of it. It was only the beginning of the destruction of the people. There were two million. Then, because of their hardness of heart and hatred for others, they destroyed themselves.

You hear over and over the promise made in the Book of Mormon which reads: "Behold, this is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ, who hath been manifested by the things which we have written" (Ether 2:12).

Ether 14

The Jaredite leaders worked by whatever means necessary to gain power and prestige. This resulted in many murders and assassinations. This in turn caused feelings of hatred, anger, and revenge. So much so that they would kill everyone that wasn't with them. Whether it be women and children or people who weren't on either side.


How do we combat such feelings? How do we not destroy each other and ourselves?


Forgiveness.


It's such a hard thing. It really is. 

Ether 13

The New Jerusalem is Zion. There will be three Zion cities: Jerusalem, the City of Enoch, and New Jerusalem (Book of Mormon Manuel 380).

How do we start building Zion now?

Elder D. Todd Christofferson said:

"Zion is Zion because of the character, attributes, and faithfulness of her citizens. Remember, 'the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them' (Moses 7:18). If we would establish Zion in our homes, branches, wards, and stakes, we must rise to this standard. It will be necessary (1) to become unified in one heart and one mind; (2) to become, individually and collectively, a holy people; and (3) to care for the poor and needy with such effectiveness that we eliminate poverty among us. We cannot wait until Zion comes for these things to happen—Zion will come only as they happen" ("Come to Zion").

Begin having a common purpose for good. Worship God. Care for each other. Work on doing all you can to help building His kingdom.

Ether 12

I think I understand Faith a little more than I did prior. I recalled that Ether 12 was very similar in structure and topic as Hebrews 11. I remember Hebrews to be a required reading for Faith Experience #1 in Personal Progress. I also remembered not really understanding it as a child.

I understood that "faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; . . . for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith" (6). I understood that to mean that you have faith when you have a sure belief in something real, but you can't experience it with the 5 senses of taste, touch, sight, sound, smell. I understood that as a young 12-year-old, but I didn't understand the summary of the ancient prophets in relation to faith. Yes, ok. They had to have faith in order to work miracles. That's all I really understood.

Ether 11

"And it came to pass that the people hardened their hearts, and would not hearken unto their words; and the prophets mourned and withdrew from among the people" (13).

When people stop listening to the prophets the end is near for that people. The prophets speak the words of God. God loves his children and wants to lead them in safely through life. But if people don't listen, then they fall and suffer harm.

President Henry B. Eyring said:

“Looking for the path to safety in the counsel of prophets makes sense to those with strong faith. When a prophet speaks, those with little faith may think that they hear only a wise man giving good advice. Then if his counsel seems comfortable and reasonable, squaring with what they want to do, they take it. If it does not, they consider it either faulty advice or they see their circumstances as justifying their being an exception to the counsel. Those without faith may think that they hear only men seeking to exert influence for some selfish motive. . . . 

“Every time in my life when I have chosen to delay following inspired counsel or decided that I was an exception, I came to know that I had put myself in harm’s way. Every time that I have listened to the counsel of prophets, felt it confirmed in prayer, and then followed it, I have found that I moved toward safety” ("Finding Safety in Counsel").

Ether 10

"And he did do justice unto the people, but not unto himself because of his many whoredoms; wherefore he was cut off from the presence of the Lord" (11).

President Harold B. Lee once said:

"As I have prayerfully thought of the reasons why one chooses this course which is dramatically described by the prophet Isaiah—when one who has departed from the path which would have given him peace is like the troubled sea, casting up mire and dirt—it seems to me that it all results from the failure of the individual to have self-respect" ("Understanding Who We Are Brings Self-Respect").

Ether 9

"And it came to pass that Coriantum did walk in the steps of his father, and did build many mighty cities, and did administer that which was good unto his people in all his days" (23).

There was a talk given by Pres. Henry B. Eyring entitled "Help Them on Their Way Home". His opening words are:

"Brothers and sisters, our Heavenly Father wants and needs our help to bring His spirit children home to Him again. I speak today of young people already within His true Church and so are started on the strait and narrow way to return to their heavenly home. He wants them to gain early the spiritual strength to stay on the path. And He needs our help to get them back to the path quickly should they begin to wander."

We have a responsibility to teach our children. To guide them. To administer to them. Coriantum had a father who taught him. He did great things in his days. He turned around and administered unto his people that which was good. I think we can learn from him in this way.

President Eyring's full talk is as follows:

Ether 8

Live righteously.

In Ether, Moroni wrote:

"Wherefore, I, Moroni, am commanded to write these things that evil may be done away, and that the time may come that Satan may have no power upon the hearts of the children of men, but that they may be persuaded to do good continually, that they may come unto the fountain of all righteousness and be saved" (26).

Live righteously and do that which is good continually. When you do this, evil is done away with.

Ether 7

Why do prophets and other good people stand for what is right and preach what is true when they know they will be teased, mocked, and perhaps persecuted for their beliefs?

Elder Robert D. Hales said:

“Prophets must often warn of the consequences of violating God’s laws. They do not preach that which is popular with the world. . . . 

“Why do prophets proclaim unpopular commandments and call society to repentance for rejecting, modifying, and even ignoring the commandments? The reason is very simple. Upon receiving revelation, prophets have no choice but to proclaim and reaffirm that which God has given them to tell the world” ("'If Thou Wilt Enter into Life, Keep the Commandments'").

Ether 6

The past few days I've been thinking about how light is always in connection to God and his people. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have been told over and over again that we are to shine forth.

President Gordon B. Hinckley, a man of God I truly love and miss, said:

Ether 5

In the beginning of the Book of Mormon we have been blessed with the testimony of the Three Witnesses, the Eight Witnesses, and the Testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith. The Book of Mormon itself is it's own witness. And then Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost also bear record.

The scriptures read:

"And behold, ye may be privileged that ye may show the plates unto those who shall assist to bring forth this work; 

"And unto three shall they be shown by the power of God; wherefore they shall know of a surety that these things are true. 

"And in the mouth of three witnesses shall these things be established; and the testimony of three, and this work, in the which shall be shown forth the power of God and also his word, of which the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost bear record—and all this shall stand as a testimony against the world at the last day" (2-4).

Just read the Book of Mormon. Read it and apply it's teachings. You will discover the Book is true. You will discover the plan God has for us and what has occurred before we were born and after we die. Just read it. Please

Ether 4

"But he that believeth these things which I have spoken, him will I visit with the manifestations of my Spirit, and he shall know and bear record. For because of my Spirit he shall know that these things are true; for it persuadeth men to do good.

"And whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do good is of me; for good cometh of none save it be of me. I am the same that leadeth men to all good; he that will not believe my words will not believe me—that I am; and he that will not believe me will not believe the Father who sent me. For behold, I am the Father, I am the light, and the life, and the truth of the world" (11-12).

What is one factor in knowing the Book of Mormon is true? It persuades men to do good.

Anything that persuades men to do good is of God. For good comes only by God.

When you have a good thought. When you have a moment thinking about something that you should do, and it is good. Do it.


Anything good comes from God. The more you are obedient to Him and the more quickly obedient. The more you will be blessed.

Think good thoughts. Act immediately on all good thoughts.

You'll be blessed.

Promise.

Ether 3

"Behold, O Lord, thou canst do this. We know that thou art able to show forth great power, which looks small unto the understanding of men" (5).

The Lord can do anything. Why don't we lay more trust in him? He can do anything. How awesome is that? We can rely on him. He will bless our lives in unimaginable ways. I can't even count how many times he has blessed me in the past few months, let alone my whole life.

His great power looks small unto the understanding of men. Some of the blessings I have been blessed with are small and simple things. Things that others may just consider luck or happenstance or not a miracle. To me, they are. To me, those blessings were huge in my life. As long as I recognized it as well. Sometimes it's hard to recognize all the blessing I've received. I know I've missed lots that I've been blessed with. But I've begun to notice more and more of the blessings as I took the time to look for them. Sometimes it amazes me at how great God is. He can bless us through something so small to our understanding that we may miss it. He's awesome.

Ether 2

The brother of Jared prayed unto God saying that he had done everything He had commanded him, but will they have light in their barges? (22).

You need to be obedient to what God has already commanded you to do. While doing that, pray. Ask for help. Ask for guidance. While waiting for an answer, try to work it out. God has blessed every individual with a mind and agency. Then when we make a decision we can go to God in faith and ask him if it is right and if he will help.

Russell M. Nelson said:

"Often I have heard [Gordon B. Hinckley] say, 'I don’t know how to get anything done except getting on my knees and pleading for help and then getting on my feet and going to work'" ("Spiritual Capacity").

Ether 1

The brother of Jared, or Mahonri Moriancumer, prayed unto God about three things:

1. That their language will not be confounded (34).
2. That those who are their friends will not have their language confounded (36).
3. If they will be going out of their land, and if so, where? (38).

His prayers were answered because "this long time ye have cried unto me" (43). Spencer W. Kimball has said:

“Do you get answers to your prayers? If not, perhaps you did not pay the price. Do you offer a few trite words and worn-out phrases, or do you talk intimately to the Lord? Do you pray occasionally when you should be praying regularly, often, constantly? Do you offer pennies to pay heavy debts when you should give dollars to erase that obligation? 

“When you pray, do you just speak, or do you also listen? Your Savior said, ‘Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.’ (Rev. 3:20.) 

“. . . Should we ever fail to get an answer to our prayers, we must look into our lives for a reason” (“Prayer").

We should pray. Pray, and constantly be obedient. Be sincere and persistent in your prayers. But always be obedient to the Lord too.

Mormon 9

Moroni calls for repentance. He doesn't want anyone to suffer what his people suffered. He wants people to live with God and be joyous and happy. But because we are mortal we all need to repent. Any spot that we have needs to be washed away that we may be clean when we stand before God. We want to "be found spotless, pure, fair, and white, having been cleansed by the blood of the Lamb, at that great and last day" (6).

President Spencer W. Kimball said:

“As repentance gets under way, there must be a deep consciousness of guilt, and in that consciousness of guilt may come suffering to the mind, the spirit, and sometimes even to the body. In order to live with themselves, people who transgress must follow one or the other of two alternatives. The one is to sear their conscience or dull their sensitivity with mental tranquilizers so that their transgression may be continued. Those who choose this alternative eventually become calloused and lose their desire to repent. The other alternative is to permit remorse to lead one to total sorrow, then to repentance, and finally on to eventual forgiveness. 

"Remember this, that forgiveness can never come without repentance. And repentance can never come until one has bared his soul and admitted his actions without excuses or rationalizations. He must admit to himself that he has sinned, without the slightest minimization of the offense or rationalizing of its seriousness, or without soft-pedaling its gravity. He must admit that his sin is as big as it really is and not call a pound an ounce. Those persons who choose to meet the issue and transform their lives may find repentance the harder road at first, but they will find it the infinitely more desirable path as they taste of its fruits (“The Gospel of Repentance").

In Memory of Alandra

My 1st year with my JC Alandra at Girl's Camp 2003 at Camp Liahona. 

I turned 12 years old in June of 2003. I was so excited. It meant I was all grown up and was in Young Women's. I was the only girl from my ward turning 12 that year. So I was kinda scared. All the other girls were so much more grown up than I was. Even though I thought was grown up, I wasn't really grown up, and I knew that.

However, in my journal I wrote:

"I'm in Young Women's now. I got a lot of things. I got 5 letters, got door bell ditched with candy. I love it."

I was so grateful. It made me feel so welcomed and loved. I was only 12 and wasn't very good at recording information that would be nice to know later, such as who it was that wrote me or dropped off the candy, but as a general shout-out to all the young women and young women's leaders of the time: Thank you, it meant a lot.

It was July 21, 2003 when I arrived at my first year of Girl's Camp. I was so frightened. I didn't know anyone my age. "Not one of them go to my school," I wrote. However, I remember being so grateful that my Junior Counselor (JC) was Alandra Neilson. She was a 5th year. Which means she was about 4 years older than I was. She seemed like she was already grown up, especially from my perspective, but I was so grateful to have a familiar face in my group. Because I honestly knew no one and I knew her a little bit because she was from my ward.

Girl's Camp 2003 at Camp Liahona. My 1st year with my group.

That year at Girl's Camp was so wonderful to me. Alandra just gather all of us little first years under her arm and made life so fun for us. That was the year that our little group had JIF, the peanut butter, as our mascot. I don't know how many of you remember that year of craziness. But that was my group led by Alandra, who we just love. We did this one skit where we were acting as poor little first years (which we were) and pretended we didn't know about the purposes of peanut butter. One girl scooped up some peanut butter and was like: "I think this is shampoo!" and then would put it in her hair. Another girl used it as deodorant. Another as shaving cream. etc. I used is as toothpaste. Well, Alandra would then come around and say: "Silly, that's not what it's used for!" She scooped it off each of us, slapped it on a piece of bread and said, "This is what it's used for!" and ate it. We were all so grossed out. lol. But I don't think anyone, even myself, realized at how influential she was.

She was the one who had us be so outrageous that I was comfortable in being myself. Perviously, I was very reserved and quiet until I became comfortable. But she caused me so be so crazy so quickly, that I could be normal. I don't know if that quite makes sense. But that's what happened and I am soooo thankful. I honestly believe that my initial year of Girl's Camp set the tones to all the following years. I tried to be like Alandra. I tried to make every girl comfortable and have an enjoyable experience at Girl's Camp. I tried to make sure each younger girl from my ward had a great time by going around and seeing how they were, saying hi whenever I saw them.

I clearly remember my own 5th year when I was a JC at Girl's Camp. I was also put in charge of a group of girls and one of them was the only girl of her year from my homeward. I tried so hard to be for her and the other girls what Alandra was for me. She made me a true part of Girl's Camp. She was so creative. Honestly, that takes talent. I mean, being able to come up with ideas for ditties or skits. Alandra was soo good at that! I really wished I had her number on a phone and could have reached her from Girl's Camp just so I could have some ideas. Her advice would have been so beneficial.

At the end of every day while at Girl's Camp, we are given a little devotional from our JC. I don't remember what it was that Alandra shared, but I do remember really thinking. I remember thinking how great Girl's Camp was that we learned more about the principles of the gospel every day.

When I came home after that week, I knew every song sung at Girl's Camp and could act them out. I knew where everything was. All thanks to Alandra.

Ever since then I felt as though we were really good friends. I remember one of the first times I went to the Single's Branch in 2009, Alandra went with me.


I'm going to miss her terribly.

Until we meet again Alandra.


The services are on Saturday, June 9th at 11am at the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building located at 4300 Dale Rd in Modesto.

Alandra Mae Neilson's Obituary is located here.

Girl's Camp 2004 at Treasure Mountain. My 2nd year.

We have a perfect hope in God and know that all people who have died will be resurrected through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. All. 

But I'm going to miss her horribly in the meantime.

"And because of the way of deliverance of our God, the Holy One of Israel, this death, of which I have spoken, which is the temporal, shall deliver up its dead; which death is the grave.

"And this death of which I have spoken, which is the spiritual death, shall deliver up its dead; which spiritual death is hell; wherefore, death and hell must deliver up their dead, and hell must deliver up its captive spirits, and the grave must deliver up its captive bodies, and the bodies and the spirits of men will be restored one to the other; and it is by the power of the resurrection of the Holy One of Israel" (2 Nephi 9:11-12).

"But there is a resurrection, therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ.

"He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death" (Mosiah 16:8-9).

"Now, behold, I have spoken unto you concerning the death of the mortal body, and also concerning the resurrection of the mortal body. I say unto you that this mortal body is raised to an immortal body, that is from death, even from the first death unto life, that they can die no more; their spirits uniting with their bodies, never to be divided; thus the whole becoming spiritual and immortal, that they can no more see corruption" (Alma 11:45).

Mormon 8

After reading this chapter, I was trying to think of what to say. This chapter hit me rather hard. I was imagining myself in the place of Moroni. All alone. Literally. Having my people be totally destroyed. It sounds like a plot for fiction, a plot for a story, a plot for some TV show. But it was actual events more horrific than any fiction story.

Once upon a time, there was a man called Mormon who was one of the only good men left among all the inhabitants of the land. He was called to lead men into battle at the age of 16. In the midst of such leadership, he collected the records of all his people from beyond the beginning of their arrival in the Americas. He began his job of historian and summarizing his people's history. He noticed the similarities of his time with those of ancient times. He recognized the fulfillment of prophecies made hundreds of years pior. He knew that the people of his day were actively rejecting the guidance of God, such guidance that had saved his ancestors time and time again. Such guidance that, when rejected, brought dispair and destruction again and again among those in history. He knew it was going to happen again.

He saw all of his people die. He himself was killed in battle. His son saw this. His son, Moroni, also saw that those that had tried to escape were killed. Moroni was witness to the total destruction of his people. He was the only one left. He no longer had kindred. He no longer had friends. He no longer had anywhere to go. He no longer had a people. How long he was going to live, he didn't know. He was alone. His entire purpose is to "write the sad tale of the destruction of my people. But behold, they are gone, and I fulfill the commandment of my father. And whether they will slay me, I know not" (3).

Supporting the Missionaries

I've mentioned it time and time again, but I love writing missionaries. I really hope that each of you write at least one missionary throughout his mission. Missionaries are special individuals who have been set apart for a period of time to share the Gospel. Receiving letters from missionaries picks up your spirit. They are so full of the gospel and they share their testimony with you and strengthen your own testimony.

I have a friend, Elder Ludwig, serving a mission in Japan who wrote me the following:

"I wish I could share with you all that I have learned and experienced on my mission. I think that would be impossible. I suppose the biggest thing would have to be love. I feel as though my capacity to love others, to show love, to be loved, and share it has grown dramatically. If only I could explain it. I have made eternal friends. I really, truly love my mission."

How can you not love missionaries? How can you not want to write them?

I'm keeping a blog for my brother, Elder Walker, and another of my friends, Elder Remington. (FYI, if you want to have a blog kept for your missionary, contact me). Then there is Elder Barton and Elder Burnham who have their own blog. I've also kept in touch and written all the missionaries that I know pretty well. It's so great to read what they write. They are always so spiritual. They are always learning. Always open to learning. I love writing them. Please, please write them. The missionary and yourself will be blessed. We are all to serve one another, and this is how I've best been able to serve and support our missionaries.

Mormon 7

In this chapter, Mormon speaks to the "remnant of this people who are spared," the Lamanites (1). He speaks direct to them and lists off several things he wants them to know:

1. Know they are of the house of Israel (2).
2. Know they must come unto repentance, or they cannot be saved (3).
3. Know they must lay down their weapons of war, and delight no more in the shedding of blood, and take them not again, save it be that God shall command them (4).
4. Know they must come to the knowledge of their fathers, and repent of all their sins and iniquities, and believe in Jesus Christ (5).
5. Know they are a remnant of the seed of Jacob (10).

Mormon 6

23,000. That's the number representing the last of the Nephite men, women, and children. It's the number representing how many people were killed on hill Cumorah 1438 years before Joseph Smith found the record of these once great Nephite people. After this battle, only 24 survived with Mormon, along with a few who escaped into the south countries and a few who had deserted over to the Lamanites (15). "Their flesh, and bones, and blood lay upon the face of the earth, being left by the hands of those who slew them to molder upon the land, and to crumble and to return to their mother earth" (15).

Every time I reach this point in the scriptures, I just cry. They were pretty much massacred. What's even worse was that it could have been avoided, if only they had not rejected God. God gives us commandments so that we may be safe, prosperous, and one day return to Him. He loves us and wants us to succeed in mortality. So he gives us commandments to follow. But the Nephite people reject Him.

Mormon 5

"Know ye not that ye are in the hands of God?" (23).

It's important to recognize God's presence in your life. Just looking at the world around us and you'll see evidence of him. There's a song that is my brother's favorite. It's called:

My Heavenly Father Loves MeClara W. McMaster 

Whenever I hear the song of a bird
Or look at the blue, blue sky,
Whenever I feel the rain on my face
Or the wind as it rushes by,
Whenever I touch a velvet rose
Or walk by our lilac tree,
I'm glad that I live in this beautiful world
Heav'nly Father created for me. 

He gave me my eyes that I might see
The color of butterfly wings.
He gave me my ears that I might hear
The magical sound of things.
He gave me my life, my mind, my heart:
I thank him rev'rently
For all his creations, of which I'm a part.
Yes, I know Heav'nly Father loves me.

Looking at all the things he has given us, how can we not recognize God's presence? He's given us so much and wants to give us even more. He shelters us. He blesses us. We are in his hands. Trust him. Recognize him.

Mormon 4

Stay strong in the gospel and in truth, light and righteousness. You will be protected, for the wicked destroy themselves.

"But, behold, the judgments of God will overtake the wicked; and it is by the wicked that the wicked are punished; for it is the wicked that stir up the hearts of the children of men unto bloodshed" (5). 

Mormon 3

Mormon said of the Nephite people he had led:

"Behold, I had led them, notwithstanding their wickedness I had led them many times to battle, and had loved them, according to the love of God which was in me, with all my heart; and my soul had been poured out in prayer unto my God all the day long for them; nevertheless, it was without faith, because of the hardness of their hearts" (12). 

Can we love any less?

Bishop Glenn L. Pace said:

“This prophet had Christlike love for a fallen people. Can we be content with loving less? We must press forward with the pure love of Christ to spread the good news of the gospel. As we do so and fight the war of good against evil, light against darkness, and truth against falsehood, we must not neglect our responsibility of dressing the wounds of those who have fallen in battle. There is no room in the kingdom for fatalism” ("A Thousand Times").