Mormon Bloggers

Utah this spring has been deluged with an abundance of water. On top of record snow totals in the mountains now threatening floods near every open body of water, rain has also been falling in abundance. Last night the showers came again. Early this morning I was awakened by the emerging radiant sunshine over the mountains to the east against a wall-to-wall panorama of blue overhead. The ominous clouds amid thunder, lightning and a torrent of rain had dissipated. Isn’t that exactly what we believe as Christians? Jesus Christ is the source of our light and truth. We receive and partake in His abundant glory bit by bit, day by day, interlaced amid bursts of thundershowers. It was more than rhetoric when He declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6). His declaration is truth. Nothing is appointed unto man “except it be by law, even as I and my Father ordained... Read the rest of this entry »

photo by Ricardo Chahad The symbolism and powers of light and darkness are no coincidences. A 2010 study found that people were more likely to be dishonest in dim lighting or when wearing sunglasses than in bright lighting or when wearing clear glasses. I believe it is more than just a result of feeling unwatched or hidden. Darkness is not only the absence of physical light, but also the absence of spiritual light. Darkness is the devil’s domain, his prime time for work, which is why we associate all things evil with the dark: sinful places are barely lit; terrible crimes happen at night; criminals usually dress in dark, concealing clothing. I think that is why we are often more shocked and offended when something wicked occurs in “broad daylight.” The findings of this study should prompt us to evaluate our own behavior in darkness and to eliminate it if it affects us. If we find that we are just as likely to commit the sin in light, then we need to take even... Read the rest of this entry »

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Another beautiful video from Mormon Messages, who say: Many are asking where this video came from. This video is an official production of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, made specifically by the Audiovisual Department as a gift to all this season. Our channel will also serve as a place where we at Church headquarters can post more uplifting videos, which will be coming in January. Thanks for watching and Merry Christmas!  Read More →

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland After President Monson’s opening remarks at today’s opening session of the 180th semi-annual General Conference, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland expressed his gratitude for all the members of the Church and their quiet and dedicated service to others. His gentle spirit this morning prompted many feelings of gratitude within me.  We are coming into that season of the year set aside for remembering and for being thankful.  We may not be able to do all things, but we can all be grateful.  In this we are all equals. My feelings of gratitude extended this morning to my family first.  When one becomes a grandfather many, many times (up to 35 and counting!), life becomes more filled with memories that push out expansive hopes or fears for the unknown future.  I have outlived all my fears now.  I don’t get too worked up about what might happen now, because I have a lifetime of experience behind to whisper... Read the rest of this entry »

Light, Truth, Spirit, Life. What do they mean for us? See D&C 93 and my Co-Eternal Man series.  Read More →

It is no coincidence that light is symbolic of Christ, the light and life of the world (Mosiah 16:9). Every characteristic of light is also characteristic of the Son of God: All life requires light for survival and growth. Light dispels darkness. Light makes everything visible and clear (also used in the forms of lenses and mirrors) and is used to lead the way. Light provides warmth and happiness; its absence leads to cold and depression. The brightest light is white. The solar system revolves around a light source (and isn’t it interesting that sun and son are homophones in English?). Light signifies knowledge (light bulb ideas, the word enlightenment, D&C 93:36). Light comes from above. The scriptures reveal how light has been used to symbolize the Savior: Before the Savior was born, the Nephites experienced a day and a night and a day of full light (3 Nephi 1:15, 19). On His day of birth, a new star–the brightest and only constant star–appeared (3 Nephi 1:21,... Read the rest of this entry »

By Michelle I love Christmas lights. As I write this, I’m sitting by our Christmas tree with no lights on in the room except for those on the tree. I keep them on until right before I go to bed every night, and look for excuses to sit here and enjoy the quiet glow. Where I live, many people decorate the outside of their homes with lights. They make going out in the cold more bearable! I love what the Church does at Temple Square and in other locations with light displays. I love the imagery of light in the scriptures, too. At this time of year, I like to ponder how light plays into the Christmas story, both in the Old World, and in the New. As prophets had foretold, a new star appeared when Jesus was born. I sometimes imagine what it must have been like to be anticipating the coming of the Messiah, and to see the sign that the time had come! Shepherds and wise men looked to that star to guide them to the Savior. Likewise, in the New World, the Book of Mormon tells us that a prophet... Read the rest of this entry »

By the end of the week I will have met my goals for 2009—well, not all my goals. I never learned to smile very well, a goal I will carry over and try again next year. I will, however, mail the manuscript of my novel to an editor for her consideration, which will lead to [...] All Content Copyright (C) 2007-2009 TJ Hirst. No content may be reproduced without the copyright owner’s express written consent. A Greater Capacity to Create  Read More →

Pondering the gospel is like holding up a diamond to a bright light.  Every time you examine it from a new angle, you get to experience a new sparkle.   So, this morning I got to thinking about Truth.  Truth ought to be one of the most valuable and most-sought-after principles in existence (the only two other principles which, in my opinion, stand on par are Charity–the pure love of Christ, and Agency, and the only one which exceeds them all is the principle of Atonement).  Why Truth?  Our understanding or interpretation of it colors every single aspect of our lives, and our take on it colors every single choice we make.  And that’s a sobering thought because we can control choice, but we can’t control consequence.  So, it stands to reason that the clearer the view of Truth we have, the better the odds of a happy and successful life:  Truth leads to Choice leads to Consequence.   From the Doctrine & Covenants Section 93: 24 And atruth is bknowledge of... Read the rest of this entry »

On the way home the shadows come back - soft voice, long hands, I run, and bite back the cry with a prayer. There is no other choice. These hands curl cold in blue pockets, my hair hangs stringily over the sidewalk. I watch my knees, as if there is nothing sitting heavy on my back. I hunch over words – I need those prayers -  Light warms and sits in the middle –  my ribs cage the warmest of all fires and pushes outward – pushes it away. My face falls upward; now I can breathe again. Looking up, everything glows - the sun pushes grey oceans gilding half-spent November leaves against the darkness; new pennies scattered over pavement, fluttering like coral fishes in the dark blue sea. Home – the key sticks in the lock, and Arthur’s sword sticks in the stone. I try the other door – the handle is cold and open. I feel like scrubbing something. My elbows wrinkle, sleeved in suds; submerged silver chimes in my fingers.  I need this right now. You and I talk for a long... Read the rest of this entry »