"Angels Do Walk Among Us"~

 

 Yes, Angels Do Walk Among Us. This is a story I just had to share. Grab some Kleenex for this one~

 A Concert for One, Chase Burch....

It’s impossible to watch this with dry eyes! This is about the Mormon Tabernacle Choir on tour in Memphis, Tennessee, in 2007, when at St. Jude's Hospital. There, a little girl had been admitted with an aggressive form of brain cancer and had her first chemo treatment, which made it so she shouldn't be in crowds and couldn't attend the Mormon Choir's concert the night before. Somehow her family sent a request asking that if some of the choir members could meet the young girl at a hotel lobby. See what happened when the little family, so distraught with their daughter's cancer, walked into the lobby! Chase has been cancer-free for nearly six years. What a beautiful miracle!

 

24th of July Celebration of The Mormon Pioneers - Read An Inspiring Story Of Our Pioneer Ancestors~

On the 24th of July we will celebrate Pioneer Days in Utah. It is a State Holiday. On this day we commemorate the arrival of the first Mormon Pioneers  into the Salt Lake Valley on July 24th, 1847; 166 years ago.  These hardy pioneers had traveled a long distance from Nauvoo, Illinois and other eastern cities to come to the Salt Lake Valley. They had been forced out of their beloved city of Nauvoo and left to flea to Winter Quarters, Nebraska. Here during winter condition they regrouped  and prepared for the long difficult journey to Salt Lake. The history and stories of the Pioneers are inspiring and heartfelt 
These pioneer were faithful to their God and suffered many trying circumstances for their beliefs. Here is a short message on the Pioneer Trek. Read the following story of the Trail of Hope.
I thought I would share today one of our notable and remarkable Pioneer Stories - 

 Meet William Henry Earl and Sarah Syphers Earl

 the Great Great Great Grandparents of my husband; Roger Lee Williams~

 

The Prophet Joseph Smith called a meeting of the Priesthood to come to the Nauvoo Temple to a special meeting. After the prayer Joseph arose and said, "Brethren, I suppose that you are surprised and want to know why I have called this meeting. It is for a very special reason. I need $500.00 to pay for printing the Book of Mormon and I have no part of that amount." A hush came over the audience and no one seemed to have anything to say. Grandpa William Earl was seated in the back of the room. After a moment or two he arose held up his hand and said, "I have it, Prophet Joseph, I have just sold property for that amount and you shall have it." He walked up the isle to the pulpit and handed Joseph the $500--all that he had in the world. Joseph accepted the money. He was so touched that tears came to his eyes. They both stood there speechless. Finally thinking he had done all he could Grandpa Earl turned to walk back to his seat. He got only a few steps when Joseph said, "Brother Earl, come back, come back." Grandpa turned and walked back. Joseph reached, got a chair nearby and sat it down in front of him and said, "Brother Earl, sit down here." Grandpa sat down on the chair and Joseph laid his hands on his head and gave him a blessing, which was so impressive that Grandpa said he never forgot it.
Part of his prayer follows, "Brother Earl, in the name of Israel's God and by the authority of the Holy Priesthood which I hold I lay my hands upon your head and give you a blessings." He blessed him for giving all that he had to the Church for the printing of the Book of Mormon and said, "for your great gift you shall be blessed with every blessing you desire in righteousness. I bless you that you shall never want for the comforts of life as long as you live and I bless you that your flocks and herds shall increase. I bless you that none of your posterity shall leave the Church. I bless you with health in  your body that no disease shall ever have power over you. You shall be able to minister unto the sick and you shall live as long as you desire. When the time comes for your passing, it shall be sweet and you shall never know the sorrow or the pains of death, for you shall go as in the twinkling of an eye. I bless you Brother Earl, that you shall live to do much good in this world and that you shall live to see the fifth generation of your posterity before you are called home."
In 1850 William Earl and his family came to Utah. They first settled in Ogden and later in Logan. William Earl's oldest child, Charlotte, married Charles McGary. The McGary's first child, Eleanor married Casey Potter Bowen. Their first child, Charlotte married William Boatright. The Boatright's first child, born in 1873 at Corrine, Utah and was named James Potter Boatright.
Great Grandfather William Earl hearing  of the birth of the baby, said, "I am going over to see that baby for he is my fifth generation. He hitched up his oxen and drove over the mountain road to Corrine, went into the house where he found the mother and baby still in bed. He leaned over and kissed the mother and then took the baby into his arms and kissed him and loved him and then stood there and cried for quite a while. Then he said to those present, "I'm ready to die now. Every word that the Prophet Joseph told me has come to pass and I have now lived to see the fifth generation of my posterity. Grandma said he drenched the baby in tears. He then put the baby in Grandma's arms and left to return home
After he arrive home he sent word to all of his children and his posterity to come home that he wanted to see them before he died. My father said, "so many people came that it filled the lot with their wagons." When they all arrived Grandfather, Williams Earl, shook hands with all of the boys and kissed the women and the children, for he was a very loveable character. He visited with them, called them into the house, and said, "I want to relate some things to you." Then he told, in his own words, the story I have related. Among other things he said, "Every promise Joseph, the Prophet, made to me has been fulfilled. I have never wanted for the comforts of life. I have had good health and I have been blessed with money miraculously. I have had the blessing of a large posterity and none that I know of has left the Church. I have lived to see the fifth generation of my posterity and now I am ready to die." He went into the bedroom where he had a large one-post bedstead secured to the wall at the head and reaching out to one post in the floor. The springs for that bed, Grandma said, "were made of rope stretched from the wall out to the post and laced back and forth." On these ropes there was a straw tick. When Grandpa reached the bedroom there were many little children on the bed playing. Grandpa said to the children, "Come on kiddies, you'll have to get off now, Grandpa's going to lay down, I'm going to die." He helped them off the bed, straightened out the quilts and his pillow and laid down. He looked up and a sweet smile came over his face as he said, "they are here for me now," he smiled, and shut his eyes and was gone in an instant.

 



"I testify to you that this story is true. To all who hear or read it may the spirit and power of this testimony rest upon you. My prayer is that other blessings of our Father in Heaven will be with you....

Story given by Hubert Bowen on Sept. 21st, 1965.

Here is a short video message~ 

"Sweet Hour Of Prayer" ~

Lately, I have been deeply affected by prayer. One of my favorite hymns is entitled: "Sweet Hour of Prayer". Here is the first verse of this hymn.

 

"Sweet hour of prayer!

That calls me from a world of care

And bids me at my Father's throne

Make all my wants and wishes known.

In seasons of distress and grief,

My soul has often found relief

And oft escaped the tempt-er's snare

By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!"

Text by William W. Walford - Music by William B. Bradbury

 



As I kneel in prayer I picture my self kneeling before my Heavenly Father; perhaps with my head on his lap voicing my deepest concerns and needs. Often times tears course down my face as I express my adoration and love for my Heavenly Father and my Savior, Jesus Christ. I simply can not go a day without prayer. In fact I find myself praying several times a day. I know that I can lift my voice to Heaven anytime, anywhere.

Our latter-day Prophet, President Thomas S. Monson gave the following thought: "To those within the sound of my voice, who are struggling with challenges and difficulties large and small, prayer is the provider of spiritual strength; it is the passport to peace. Prayer is the means by which we approach our Father In Heaven, who loves us. Speak to Him in prayer and then listen for the answer. Miracles are wrought through Prayer."

All of us have challenges and difficulties in many areas of our lives. Not only do we have personal challenges but we also feel the struggles of our family members and close friends.  Not a day goes by that I don't pray for each and everyone of my vast posterity of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Many of them I know have great cares, deep wounds, and difficult challenges. My mother's heart  aches deeply at times and my only source of peace comes through prayer.

I have a strong testimony of prayer and I have felt the spirit touch my heart and give me answers to my prayers. Sometimes it is the sweet voice of the spirit other times it will come through another person. Often times the answer comes through reading the scriptures or other good books. Miracles have not ceased; we have been the beneficiaries of many miracles both physical and spiritual.

One day many years ago my heart was deeply troubled by an issue in our family. I decided to go for a walk. I prayed for a very long time and then I stopped and said: "Heavenly Father I need to feel your love and have peace of mind over this struggle. I am going to walk and not talk but wait to hear your answers to me. It took a while walking in silence and then the answers came. They were not my words they were directed to me and were very specific. It came fast and I worried I wouldn't be able to remember what I was told. I wished at that time I could have had something to immediately write down what I was hearing.

 Years ago my husband and I met with a priesthood leader in our church. During that interview he told us how he goes about praying. He said that he always has a notebook and pen with him when he offers his prayers. The purpose is to listen for the answers that come to him. Some of those answers come immediately other times it comes in unbidden times; but the answers to come.

In the book by D. Kelly Ogden entitled; "8 Mighty Changes God Wants For You Before You Get To Heaven" he discusses the question: What Is "Mighty Prayer"? Here are a few of his thoughts.

1. "We need to get much more specific in our prayers, mentioning the names of people we know with special needs".

2. Revelation often comes during prayer. He states that while he is still praying he will on occasion get up and grab a notebook and pen and record what came into his mind--Then he will get back on his knees and resume his prayer. To him this is part of talking with His Father in Heaven. He states: "It is not a one-way monologue, it is a two-way communication".

3. "God wants us to pray, plead, implore, and importune - specifically, frequently, and sincerely".

4. "Better than "talking to" Him is "communing with " Him. The pressure in life can become almost overbearing, and we need direction. We need to hear the voice of the Lord Speaking to us."

5. "Two key question to ask are: "Who can I help?" and "How can I help them?" Asking those questions, and diligently responding to heaven's answers to those questions, will help you secure a permanent relationship with your Father, Your Savior, and the Holy Spirit.  

 

Here is a sweet story on prayer from this same book.

 

" Maybe you have heard about the little boy who knelt down with his father beside the boy's bed. The father asked his son to offer the prayer. Several minutes went by - total silence. Finally the little boy got up, climbed into bed, pulled up the covers, and closed his eyes. His father interrupted, "I thought you were going to say the prayer."

"I did."

"Well, I didn't hear anything."

"I wasn't talking to you!"

"Small children can indeed talk with Heavenly Father, and they often say just whatever comes into their minds and hearts." Perhaps we can learn from these humble sweet trusting children.

I love this scripture on prayer found in The Book of Mormon; Moroni 7:26 ..."Whatsoever thing ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is good, in faith believing that ye shall receive, behold, it shall be done unto you."
 Read and ponder up on this verse. I then challenge you to kneel down and pray to your loving Heavenly Father who wants to hear your tender pleas. Thank your Father for the blessing of prayer, for His Son, Jesus Christ. Ask Him for the desires of your heart and then believe that you shall receive.

Happy Family Moments - July 3 and 4th 2013~

 

 

 

We had our five granddaughters and one grandson for a few day over the 4th of July. Our first activity was to visit Nadine and my Aunt Della at their assisted living home in Bountiful. Utah. We met Nadine at Christmas time in the activity room. Our granddaughters sang some Christmas songs and then one granddaughter, Sariah, played the piano for the residents. Nadine loved their singing and promised to stitch a personalized pillow case for each of them. We picked up the completed pillow cases recently and gave them to the kids when they arrived. The grandchildren made Thank You cards, and we picked out a potted plant for her. We met her in the activity room. She was so thrilled to see them. She was grateful for the cards and plant. We then went Aunt Della's room. The children also made cards for her. They sang a few songs for her at her request and she was deeply touched. We had a very sweet visit with Della who turns 100 in September.

 

On the 4th of July we visited Temple Square in Downtown Salt Lake City, Utah. If you want a special experience for your family come to Utah and visit Temple Square. We had such a good time there. We started at the Nauvoo Café where we enjoyed lunch outdoors on the Plaza. The weather was Lovely

Pictures taken inside the Joseph Smith Memorial Building

The Nauvoo Café and Plaza are located here.

   Our grandchildren on the way to the top floor of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building

    L to R - Sariah, age 15; Abbey, age 12; April, age 14; Faith, age 9 and Levi, age 6.

Faith, Levi and grandma~

Here they are in front of the Joseph Smith Statue~

Temple Square is always so lovely in the spring and summer.

 A few samples of the landscaping.

 

 

My dear hubby and me~

A statue of Joseph and Emma Smith ~

 

Left top, Roger and I in front of the Church Office Building - Upper right corner the children  in the Lion House garden where their parents held their Wedding Reception.

 

Front of the LDS Church Office Building ~

 

Abbey, April, Faith, Sariah and Levi ~ Sitting where their

 parents stood during their reception.

Grandma and Levi in front of a Statue of a Pioneer Mother and Son~

Just sweet pictures of my our grandchildren~

 

I like this picture of the Salt Lake Temple. This is where my husband and

I were married as well as our three daughters ~

View more pictures of Temple Square Here-

You can learn more about Temples Here -

View the Temples around the world here -

 

Happy Birthday America; "Our Promise Land"~

 Re-posted from July 4th 2010

 Each year we have the opportunity on the 4th of July to reflect on the freedoms we enjoy due to courageous men and woman who have fought for our liberty and our pursuit of happiness. We are so blessed to live in this country and we should never take it for granted.

In The Book of Mormon the people of that day were blessed to come to the Americas. The Lord covenanted with them that if they would be a righteous nation they  would obtain this "promised land" forever. Eventually, this once blessed people became so wicked that they were destroyed to where only a remnant remained.

In the Book of Mormon in 2 Nephi 1:5-7 it states:

5. But, said he, notwithstanding our afflictions, we have obtained a land of promise, a land which is choice above all other lands; a land which the Lord God hath covenant with me should be a land for the inheritance of my seed. Yea, the Lord hath covenanted this land unto me, and to my children forever, and also all those who should be led out of other countries by the hand of the Lord.

6. Wherefore, I, Lehi prophesy according to the workings of the Spirit which is in me, that there shall none come into this land save they shall be brought by the hand of the Lord.

7. Wherefore, this land is consecrated unto him whom he shall bring.

 And if it so be that they shall serve him according to the commandments which he hath given, it shall be a land of liberty unto them; wherefore, they shall never be brought down into captivity; if so, it shall be because of iniquity; for if iniquity shall abound cursed shall be the land for their sakes, but unto the righteous it shall be blessed forever.
This is our promise land today. However, as in the time of the Nephites our nation is dwindling in unbelief.
As found in the Book of Mormon in Helaman 11:24-27 we find the following:

24. A certain number of the dissenters from the people of Nephi who had some years before gone over unto the Lamanites, and taken upon themselves the name of the Lamanites and also a certain number who were real descendants of the Lamanites, being stirred up to anger by them, or by those dissenters, therefore they commenced a war with their brethren.
26. And thus in time, yea, even in the space of not many years, they became an exceedingly great band of robbers; and they did search out all the secret plans of Gadianton; and thus they became robbers of Gadianton.
27. Now behold, these robbers did make great havoc, yea, even great destruction among the people of Nephi, and also among the people of the Lamanites.

The "Gadianton robbers" of today, with their secret combinations, are seen among the gangs, organized crime, and perhaps even within our present day financial, government, and political arenas. Our nation is no longer a God fearing nation. Many do not profess to believe in a God thus Evil abounds and Satan  reigns.

We need a Moroni of today. In their day in Alma 43:45; Nevertheless, the Nephites were inspired by a better cause, for they were not fighting for monarchy nor power but they were fighting for their homes and their liberties, their wives and their children, and their all, yea, for their  rites of worship and their church.

Moroni came forward to lead his people, as stated in Alma 46:12-20:

12.And it came to pass that he rent his coat; and he took a piece thereof, and wrote upon it- In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children - and he fastened it upon the end of pole.
13. And he fastened it onto his head plate, and his breastplate, and his shields, and girded on his armor  about his loins; and he took the pole, which had on the end thereof his rent coat, (and he called it the Title of Liberty) and he bowed himself to the earth, and he prayed mightily unto his God for the blessings of liberty to rest upon his brethren, so long as there should be band of Christians remain to possess the land.
16. And therefore, at this time, Moroni prayed that the cause of the Christians, and the freedom of the land might be favored.
17. And it came to pass that when he had poured out his soul to God, he named all the land which was south of the land Desolation, yea, and in fine, all the land, both on the north and on the south - a chosen land, and the land of liberty.
19. And when Moroni had said these words, he went forth among the people, waving the rent part of his garment in the air, that all might see the writing which he had written up on the rent part, and crying with a loud voice saying:
20. Behold, whosoever will maintain this title upon the land, let them come forth in the strength of the Lord, and enter into a covenant that they will maintain their rights, and their religion, that the Lord God may bless them.

We have a Title of Liberty in our American Flag today. May it always fly over a free land. The last verse in our National Anthem, "The Star Spangled Banner" declares it to all:

Oh, thus be it ever when free men shall stand,
Between their loved homes and the war's desolation;
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land
Praise the Power that has made and preserved us as a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust";
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

May each of us pray for this great land to remain the home of the free and the land of the brave and our motto must always be: "In God We Trust."

Here is a video to share~