How can I not go on in so great a cause?

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.” - Psalm 121

Dear Heavenly Father,

I, your willing, humble servant, truly stand amazed at the love that you offer me. 

How can I say thanks for the things you have done and continue to do for me? So many of the blessings that you have bounteously bestowed upon me are so undeserving, yet you continually give to prove your unconditional love for me. It is wonderful for me to know that I am your child, and that you are always there walking right beside me, leading me, and guiding me in the way that I should follow. Even at times when I may have veered from the straight and narrow path, you lovingly and patiently, allowed me to endure certain trials, heartaches, and disappointments to help teach me important lessons that were necessary for my continual spiritual growth, and to gently guide my footsteps back onto the road that leads towards home and back into your loving arms. The voices of tens of thousands of angels could never adequately express the gratitude and the love that I have in my heart for you. You are my ALL! You are my EVERYTHING! 

How can I arise from my slumbers of the night - sweet rest which only you can give - and not give thanks unto thee  for bringing me to the beginning of a brand new day? You do not have to allow me to arise each morning, fully clothed in my right mind, and with the full use of my faculties, but you do. Therefore, I will rejoice and be glad in each day that thou hast given me. Teach me to humbly number those days that I may continually apply my heart unto wisdom. Let me not spend any hour of any day selfishly, but give me a servant’s heart that is filled with love and compassion for others. Gently remind me that because I have been given much, I too must give. For it is because of thy great bounty each day I live and have my being. 

How dare I become boastful or proud of the things that I may be able to achieve in this life? May I ever be mindful that every good and perfect gift comes from above, and that it is you who allows me to do the things that I do, and to achieve any success in life. Teach me, dear Father, to let any accolades and praises that I may receive, come from the lips of another and not mine own. Let me not live my life focused on self, but let me live my life pleasing to thee with an eye single to your glory. For you alone are worthy to be praised. 

How can I live my life from day to day and not know that I cannot make it on my own? In the morning when I rise, I need thee. In the noon day hour, I need thee. In the quietness of the night, I need thee. When the sun is shining or when the winds of adversity are blowing and the storm winds are raging, I need thee. Whether atop the highest mountain, or down in the lowest of valleys, I need thee. I need thee every hour. How thankful I am that you are always just a prayer away and  you have promised never to leave me nor forsake me. Even if I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff , they comfort me. Therefore, I am blessed with the calm assurance that I am never alone, no never alone. 

There is none like you. My heart is full and rejoices as it sings out, “How great thou art!” You are my Lord, my Savior, my Master, and my King. You are my Daystar and my Song in the night. Within my soul will forever be a song of praise for thee - one eternal song of praise!

With all my love and devotion,

Your son.

Keith

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Labels: Songs Praises Thanks Life Giving

I do not mean to come across as being callous, cruel, or mean-spirited, but the older I get, the more discouraged and dishearten I become as I watch some of our young people - the future of our world, place themselves in a proverbial box called defeatism. Unquestionably, some of us have grown up in unfavorable conditions and in an unkind society that constantly reminds us, and in some cases has thoroughly convinced us, that our father never amounted to much, and our mother has never amounted to much, and so, as the proverbial apple never seems to fall far from the tree, we ourselves can expect to never amount to much either.

Where has the time gone? It is hard to believe that in just a few short hours another year will have come and gone and will have taken its place among the annals of history. It seems that with each passing year, though the amount of days and hours remain the same, the hands of time seem to move at a much swifter rate. With all of the incidences that occur in life over the course of a year, sometimes even the swiftest runner in the race can find it difficult to maintain a steady pace.

Wise men of old came from afar asking the timeless question, "Where is he that is born King of the Jews?" (Matthew 2:2). Following the star that they had seen in the east, they were led to where the Christ Child was. Upon their arrival they presented the new born baby with precious gifts of frankincense, gold, and myrrh.

The tiny babe who in Bethlehem’s manger lay was no ordinary child. Some people called Him the son of David. Others called Him the son of Joseph. The scriptures call Him the son of David, the son of Mary, the son of man, the Son of God. He whose name is Immanuel, meaning God is with us, was born to be the King of kings and the Lord of lords. This child was the promised Messiah - even Jesus the Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God.

Every year, 11 November is set aside as the day that we celebrate Veterans Day. The purpose of the day is to pay honor and tribute to the men and women of the Armed Forces who have either served, or are currently serving this great nation of ours by putting their lives on the line to defend and protect the freedoms that we so dearly cherish.

The Apostle Paul Preaching At the Areopagus (Mars Hill)

While on his second missionary journey, the Apostle Paul visited the city of Troas on the Mediterranean coast. While in Troas, a vision appeared to Paul in the night. In that vision "There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us" (Acts 16:9).

I know that someone is going to read the title of this article and their first thought is going to be, "Keith, I think that you might have that a little backwards. Shouldn't the title read "Why do bad things happen to good people?" Perhaps it should, for that seems to be the question that is asked with great frequency these days. People have a hard time understanding why it is that the harder they try, there always seem to be some obstacle that stands in their way of succeeding.

The word “service” can be defined as the action of helping or doing work for someone. “Service” can also be defined as someone’s contribution to the welfare of others. After a long and perhaps arduous week at work and studying in the classroom, most people treasure their weekends as time for themselves to relax, unwind and do some of the things that they enjoy doing.

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth. The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming. The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation.

This talk was given on Saturday, September 03, 2011, on the occasion of the baptism of Andrew Jerry Calabrese.
President Gordon Bitner Hinckley
President Gordon Bitner Hinckley
President Gordon Bitner Hinckley
In Loving Memory Of A Prophet Of The Lord
About Me
About Me
Getting to know me. . .
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1 Peter 3:13-17

13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
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The Joseph Smith Papers
The Joseph Smith Papers

On February 25th, 2008, the Church announced the establishment of a new imprint for publishing works that relate to the origin and growth of the Church.

The first project by the Church Historian's Press is The Joseph Smith Papers. This comprehensive series of journals, letters, legal documents, and business papers chronicles the life of Joseph Smith. When finished, this project will include more than 30 volumes.

The first three volumes are scheduled for publication later this year and will include Joseph Smith's early journals.

In time, the published volumes are expected to be made available in their entirety through the Web site Joseph Smith Papers.
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