Speak peace

Since my childhood in Ogden, Utah, one of my favorite hymns has been Master, The Tempest Is Raging with lyrics by Mary Ann Baker and music by H.R. Palmer. When I was a child, what I loved about the music was the crescendos – the rise and fall in intensity – and the rise and fall of the musical notes that created a raging sea in my young mind. Exactly what the writers intended, I think. As an adult, I still love those things – the “tossing billows” in the music that are calmed and made peaceful by the Savior’s simple words: “Peace, peace, be still.”

As I was thinking about that hymn today, I realized again that while the hymn dramatizes a real event as described in Matthew 8:24-27 and Mark 4:36-41, it is nevertheless, a metaphor for the Savior’s concern and love for us and for his desire to succor us in our time of need.

The blood of patriots

This post is in response to a post on http://puremormonism.blogspot.com/ titled: Should a Mormon Join the Military?  As a retired military officer and a 5th generation member of the LDS Church, I cannot let this blog post pass unchallenged.

The "powers" of prayer

In bishopric meeting this week, the spiritual thought was offered by one of the bishop’s counselors. He said that he and his wife had decided to try to follow the counsel of the prophet to “Be prayerful.” They decided that they would hold family prayers morning and evening with their children, and encourage personal prayer at other times during the day. Being a farmer, he had to get up early and leave the house before his children were out of bed. To help him participate in morning family prayer, they called him and he listened as his children prayed. He said that holding family prayer brought the spirit into their home and taught his children the power of prayer.

He employeth no servant there

Each of us, when we leave this Earth --and we will all leave -- returns to “that that God who gave them [us] breath, which is the Holy One of Israel.” (2 Nephi 9:26)

Eventually, at the final judgment, we will all be called upon to account for our stewardship here on the Earth before the Lord himself. Nephi explains:

“O then, my beloved brethren, come unto the Lord, the Holy One. Remember that his paths are righteous. Behold, the way for man is narrow, but it lieth in a straight course before him, and the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel; and he employeth no servant there; and there is none other way save it be by the gate; for he cannot be deceived, for the Lord God is his name.” (2 Nephi 9:41)

Where is your head?

A Fable by Aesop: The Wolf and the Crane:

A wolf who had a bone stuck in his throat hired a Crane, for a large sum, to put her head into his mouth and draw out the bone.

When the Crane had extracted the bone and demanded the promised payment, the Wolf, grinning and grinding his teeth, exclaimed: "Why, you have surely already had a sufficient recompense, in having been permitted to draw out your head in safety from the mouth and jaws of a wolf."

Aesop’s Moral:
In serving the wicked, expect no reward, and be thankful if you escape injury for your pains.