Seek the Light

One of my favorite scriptures is Moses 6:63 “... and behold, all things have their likeness, and all things are created and made to bear record of me, both things which are temporal and things which are spiritual; things which are in the heavens above and things which are on the earth, and things which are in the earth, and things which are under the earth, both above and beneath: all things bear record of me.”

Basically, this says the whole world is full of visual aids, things that symbolize Christ and his gospel of peace.  At this season, when the world is at its darkest, I crave light the most. Here in the Pacific Northwest, we’re losing seven minutes four seconds every day...not that I’m counting, mind you...and I seek light! The electric bill skyrockets, I light candles, and I seek Christmas lights wherever I can find them.

Giving and serving others in tiny ways doesn’t take much time, yet  the light it causes in your life and theirs is magnificent.

Seek the light in whatever form you can, and Merry Christmas!

Living a Christ Like Life

It was eleven at night and I was winding down for the evening.  I'd gotten home from work around seven, spent a few hours with the little ones, then got onto Facebook to catch up on the happenings of the day.

Deb Graham posted a link on her Facebook page.  No description.  Just a link.  I noticed it was from Deseret News, so I figured it would be worth clicking on.  I was taken to an article about Dallin H. Oaks and his report on the Church Welfare system. During his talk, he provided a breakdown of service by the members of the Church.  I was mesmerized by the staggering statistics, and the sheer amount of service that our members offer to those around the world. Among other amazing statistics, he reported, "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spends about $40 million on welfare, humanitarian and other LDS Church-sponsored projects around the world and has done so for more than 30 years."

I pondered the article.  $40 million per year.  $1.2 billion over 30 years.  Responding to 132 disasters last year alone.  That's pretty darned impressive.  With more than 15.6 million members worldwide as of 2015, we are becoming a force for good. 

 In Matthew 25:40 it says,  "And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

Worldwide, we are becoming disciples of the Lord.  I've often considered the gospel to be a gospel of service.  Nearly everything Christ did was an act of service. From the time he spent in the temple preaching the gospel, to washing the feet of the twelve apostles, to the miracle of the loaves and the fishes, to healing the sick and blessing small children.  

It does my heart good to occasionally see some sort of quantification the good the LDS church has done for the world. And those dollars spent don't even consider the hours up on hours of service we, as members, spend in our ward and stake callings, at girls/scout camps, compassionate service, visiting/home teaching, etc.  

Yes, there is much evil in the word today.  So much so that it frightens me at times.  But this article is also proof that there is also much good.  And we, as Latter-Day-Saints, do much to brighten the world around us by living a Christ like life.