Forever Family Moments~

Wow, it has been a while since I have posted about what I have been up too. My life has been busy with spectacular activities and great family moments in June and July. We attended a High School Graduation for our Granddaughter, Sarah. We then held our Bi-annual Family reunion. There has been a birthday, holidays and other celebrations to enjoy this past two month.

As mentions in my July 24th, post; my dearest Aunt Alene passed away. This has been hard because she is the last of that generation in my life. 

I have had many tender moments to reflect upon the importance of family relationships and my testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

On June 8th, Roger and I drove to Spokane, Washington, to attend our Granddaughter, Sarah's graduation. We had such a good time there. We lived in Spokane for 15 years; it still feels like home. We were able to connect with some dear friends while there. We had a delightful time with our Daughter, Tiffani, Dave, and their children; Sarah, Kaitlyn, and William. 
My daughter has been blessed with a creative spirit. Her home was decorated to the hilt for the celebration of Sarah's graduation. The artwork in the photo below displays examples of my Granddaughter's paintings. She received recognition at her High School for her artwork. 
The center photo on the right is of her Great Grandmother and myself. My Grandmother, Dora and I were both nurses. I am pleased with her desire to be a nurse. She will be attending BYU-Idaho. 

There was a large Graduation party for her and her friends on Saturday, June 8th. The lower right photo is us with her other grandparents; Rose and Ron and our friends, Steve and Nancy. 
 Sarah graduated with honors and was a Salutatorian and gave one of the graduation messages. We are so proud of her. 

On, June 13, 2019, my dear Eternal Companion and I celebrated our 52nd Wedding Anniversary. We went to the Salt Lake Temple, where we were married and sealed for eternity. We did a sealing session for 6 ancestral couples. It was a very endearing part of our day. 
Later we attended a great movie and went to dinner. It was a fantastic celebration. 

Our daughter, Jenni, Michael, and their children; Alyssa, Emma, and Ben moved out of our home into a new house about 20 minutes from us. I will miss them on a day to day basis but excited for them to have their own home. This was on Father's Day. It was a calm and sweet day of remembrance. 

We were able to attend the Birthday Party of our dear friend's son, Diago. He turned 8 years old and will be baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latt-day Saints in July. We had a good time attending this fun event. 

My children and grandchildren started to arrive for our Family Reunion on June 29th. My youngest daughter, Tiffani and her 3 children; Sarah, Kaitlyn, and William came on June 30th and then my oldest daughter, Christina, Brandon and their children April, Abbey, Faith, and Levi arrived on Sunday, June 30th.

My husband and I had been working hard to get our home prepared for 12 total children and Grandchildren to stay here for a few days. On Monday, July 1st, we added three more grandchildren to the amount that were here until, July 3rd, the start of our reunion. We had a busy and delightful time with all of the 15 family members in our home.

Tuesday, July 2nd, we took a few of our grandchildren to the temple to do Baptism and Confirmations for their  Ancestors. My husband was working at the temple. Timely tender mercy occurred when he was able to be in the baptistry at the same time that we were there. He was able to do the confirmation for the baptisms. This was an exceptional spiritual experience for us all. 

In the evening, the children spent the time making posters for our missionary Granddaughter, Sariah, who was returning home from her 18th-month mission in Sacramento, California. Two other Sisters from her mission were also coming in on her flight to the Salt Lake Airport. I loved the photo of the two cousins; Ben and William in the upper right-hand picture. They were busy doing the dishes together, it was adorable.  

 Our dearest missionary granddaughter arrived at the Salt Lake Airport around 1 pm on July 3rd. At that moment we had 5 of our 6 families plus some from her father's side at the airport to welcome her home.

We had 4 of our 6 children serve missions for 18months to 2 years, and that welcoming home moment is so heartfelt. We were all in tears as she came into her mother and dad's arms. She then went around and hugged us all. 

We came home, and everyone quickly got together to pack our cars with clothes and food as we set off for Scofield, Utah, where we would be staying in a vacation home. We had a few glitches, but everyone was finally there by 8 pm, and we then had a family devotional that my husband and I gave.

Our grandchildren loved being together and immediately started to enjoy being with each other. All different ages played with one another, regardless of who was young and old. 

We had a fantastic 4th of July Celebration. In the early morning, my husband was up and helping the children fish. Because of the rains in Utah, the Scofield lake was high and came up close to the home. They were able to do their fishing right off the deck. Over the three days, most of the children caught at least one fish and many more. The adults had fun fishing too. 

Later in the day, we went to a park in Price, Utah and enjoyed the late afternoon and evening there, and a few fireworks. 

Here are the photos of our family. 
Roger and LeAnn top left photo. Top Middle photo is our oldest son, Sean, Mary and two of their children Jeffery and Josh. The top right photo is my Grandson, Jacob, Dana, and their
 two children, Katalina and Sagan.
 The center-left picture is our daughter in law, Amanda, and their children Ryley, Kason, Karlie and her friend Kaylee, Haven and Layton; missing are my son Travis, and his son's Austin, who is on a mission and Ethan.  Center-right a photo is my son, James, Amber and their two children Taylor Jo and Averi; missing is their son, Christian.
 On the bottom left, the picture is daughter, Christina, Brandon, and their children Levi, Faith, Abbey, Sariah, and April. The bottom middle photo is our daughter Jenni, Michael and their children; Benjamin, Alyssa, and Emma. The bottom right picture is of the daughter, Tiffani, Dave, and their children, Kaitlyn, Sarah and William. Tiffani was talking to her missionary son, Michael, so he is on the cell phone as part of the photo. 
Other missing family members were our grandson, Jed, Jessica, and their children; Jadyn, Lilly, and Myah. There was Joseph who is in basic training with the Navy and Jonathan. We had a total of 39 that came and 12 not at the reunion. 
It was a little sad about having empty chairs. 

The collages above and below are some of the many activities we had. It was so much fun watching all of the children interrelate with one another and enjoy being together. There was a lot of playing, enjoying games, swimming, boating, and fishing and just having a great time. 

My sweet hubby spent a lot of time helping his grandchildren fish. He never did catch a fish himself. We had a fish fry with 47 fish that were caught.

 Our final night there we had a closing devotional with our family. The children surprised us by singing the hymn, "Love One Another," with two extra verses that my dearest husband wrote in 1978. It is a favorite in our family.  I have shared it below. It was a tender moment, and we cried tears of joy. Then our beloved Sariah shared some of her missionaries experiences. The spirit and truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ were felt tonight. 

We got up early on Saturday, July 6th, and cleaned the home and packed our belongings. It was a glorious three days of family fun. 

Although there were more events for July, I will share them later. I hope you enjoyed looking at some of the things that have kept me extremely busy in the last two months. I have really missed blogging but have tried to keep up somewhat with reading my favorite blog post. 
Love and hugs for all! 

A Time Of Sweet Parting~

Today my thoughts and heart are turned to remember a remarkable generation, one generation away from the Pioneer heritage that I hold dear. I have a number of ancestors that came to America's after joining; "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" and made the trek west to the Rocky Mountains to settle the Salt Lake Valley and the surrounding areas. Today is a story of one of their stalwart Grandchildren; plus an account of her Grandfather and my Great Grandfather. 

On Monday, July 22nd,  my dearest Aunt Alene passed away at the age of 98. I felt blessed to know and love her and her family. I spent many days and hours in her home. She was a beautiful example to me in so many ways. Her mind and memory were sharp over the years. She shared many stories of her past and of my mother, her sister. Also, stories of my parents, and myself as a little girl. 
I loved our visit on July 8th; it was sweet. I knew then her time was limited. She was ready to have a glorious reunion with her husband, parents, siblings, and many others who have gone before. 
We saw her Sunday and although she couldn't converse, I know she was aware of those who came to say goodbye. I also loved the cherished visit with her daughter, my cousin Mari while there. 
May her loved ones be comforted and feel her near at times. 
Aunt Alene is the last of a generation of loved ones that I have treasured memories of. 
I love the thought of her greeting her husband, parents, and my family too. 
Love, prayers, and hugs for all who have loved this precious Aunt of mine. 

Aunt Alene has resided at an Assisted Living Center for the last several years. Here is a photo of her best friend Betty who is 97years old. They have been friends since childhood and were able to share time together in this home. 2nd photo is of Betty, myself, and my cousin, Mari. This was taken when Betty came to the room to say goodbye. 

Today, we are celebrating the arrival of the first company of pioneers into the Salt Lake Valley on July 24th, 1847.

Because my cherished, Aunt Alene came from Pioneer stalk back one generation; I thought I would share a pioneer history of my Great Grandfather, Eskild C. Peterson.
In the photo below is a picture of my Grandfather, Ernest; he on the back row on the right side. My Grandfather, Ernest passed away with the flu in 1922 leaving my beloved Grandmother, Dora, and her three daughters; Della, (8); Leone, my mother, (5), and Alene (3). 

HAPPY 24TH OF JULY - PIONEER DAY! (1947-2019)

The history of my Great Grandparents, Eskild and Sena Peterson. 

Front Row Left Sena and Eskild -
 Note their Black Hawk Indian War Medals

Back Row Right My Grandfather Ernest.

  Hans Peter Christensen with his wife and three children lived at Fouting, Denmark. He was on the Police Force for many years. It was here his son Eskild Christian was born, January 18, 1840.

          Missionaries from the Mormon Church were in Denmark teaching the gospel. When the Christensen’s were told of the gospel and the wonderful Zion in the mountains of Utah in America; Mrs. Christensen was converted, and was ready to go to America.   In 1861, she took her two children and started for America. (Her oldest child Christian Karl died when he was 7 months old.) The father remained in Denmark uninterested in their newfound religion. He came to America later, but we don’t know for sure when. We do know that it was sometime after 1882. He was buried in the old Richfield Cemetery up by the old Richfield High School.

          When they came to America, Mrs. Christensen bought an Ox team and wagon with which to travel across the plains. In the winter of 1861, they reached Salt Lake City and settled in Mill Creek for a while and then went on to Mt. Pleasant, Utah.  In the long trip across the country, they endured many hardships common to pioneers. Fuel was scarce, and they were compelled to gather up anything that would burn to cook their food.

          When they reached Mt. Pleasant, Mrs. Christensen gave her Ox team to Eskild and this he used to haul logs for their cabins. He built a home for his mother and one for himself. We do not have a record of when he changed his name to Peterson, which was a Danish custom. The name Peterson was because he was the son of Peter Christensen.

          In the same year the Hans Peter Christensen family left Foutin, Denmark, the family of Niels Christian Christensen left Aalborg, Denmark. They were on the same ship called the Monarch of the Sea. They came to America with six children, among them was their daughter Andesine Margarethe (Sena) Christensen. Her family settled in Spring City, Sanpete County, Utah. Eskild and Sena met on the ship while coming to America. They were married in Mt. Pleasant, Sanpete County, Utah on May 16, 1863.

          In the fall of 1863-64, a party of ten men under the leadership of Albert Lewis came from Sanpete and arrived in what is now Richfield. The season was very cold, and traveling conditions were slow. Upon arrival, they were bone-tired but not discouraged. After cooking their meager supper and tending to their weary oxen and horses, they made their crude beds for the night. The only sounds were the wail of coyotes and the occasional rustle of the underbrush. Weak men might have been appalled by the desolation and sheer loneliness of the country, but not the sturdy pioneers. These men were Albert Lewis, Robert Wilson Glenn, Christian Olsen, C.O. Hansen and his brother Hands Olsen Hansen, Nelson Higgins, August Nelson, George Ogilvie, Jorgen Smith, and Eskild c. Peterson. There is a monument in the Richfield City Park with all these names on it.

          They made for a dwelling place for all the men what would later be called “The Hole in the Ground.” They carefully covered this hole with a brush, willows, and other materials and made a chimney of rocks. This was built to resemble an Indian Wick up. This strange abode was located about where McKinley’s Garage was standing on Main Street in Richfield. Here these sturdy men spent the remainder of the winter, planning and preparing for the time they could bring their families to the land of promise. 

          In 1864 President Orson Hyde called by letter a meeting of about 30 families from Mt. Pleasant to go to Richfield and join with those already there. The first dwelling places were dugouts, with willow and dirt roofs. They then built houses of adobe because clay dirt was available as a building material; logs and lumber weren’t. Because of Indian troubles, settlers were prevented from long trips into the mountains. Consequently, there were few log or lumber houses in early Richfield.  They tried several times to get their families moved here, but the Indians kept forcing them back to Sanpete.

          In 1866, Eskild served in Captain George Tucker’s Cavalry Company. He went to Thistle Valley, a distance of 18 miles from his home in Mt. Pleasant. He served under Colonel John L. Ivie. When they arrived, they relieved a company under the command of a Lt. Dewey. This company had been attacked by Indians on the morning of June 24^th. They fought them all day, and the Indians killed one man and wounded another. They then injured or killed all the horses. He served under Captain Tucker all summer.

          During the summer of 1867, he served under Colonel John L. Ivie; who is my Great Grandfather on my Dad's side. They were under the command of Captain Orange Seely’s Cavalry Company. He was with this company on June 1, when the Fountain Green Cowherd was taken by the Indians. They helped recover the Stock, but the Indians got away with 40 head of horses. He was also in the skirmish at Spring City, August 13, 1867, when the Indians made a raid on their cow herd, killing several men. He was a minute man for three years during the Black Hawk Indian War. 
 The following information is taken from his Obituary in the Richfield Reaper April 1923.

           When E. C. Peterson lived in Mt. Pleasant before Richfield was settled, he and another young man by the name of Peter Christensen journeyed to the place where now Richfield stands. They brought an Ox team and spent a large part of the winter hunting deer which were plentiful in the western foothills. The deer were brought to Mt. Pleasant and traded for wheat. At this time Indians were very hostile to the “pale faces” and one traveling in those days through the valley never knew what minute he would be pierced by arrows or shot from ambush. But Eskild never hesitated to risk his life in prosecuting Indian bands when they had made a raid on white settlements and took part in many skirmishes. One time he went by Ox team to Fairview, and then called North bend, to gather some hops which grew abundantly along the creek and was used for making Danish beer. Leaving camp to get some freshwater, a band of thirty Indians on horseback swooped down on him. He was all alone, but luck would have it that he was well-armed with a six-shooter and a rifle. Luckily his position was such that the Indians could approach him from one side only. This they did demand that he give up his arms which he refused to do. Then the Indians asked him to bring them some water, and unafraid he complied with the requests until all the Indians had had their share, but always carrying the bucket in one hand and the gun in the other. The red men, realizing that he would shoot at their first suspicious movement; they did not attack him and retired in a southerly direction towards Mt. Pleasant.  Peterson waited until dark, then put on the front seat of the wagon a pole, hanging hat and coat thereon like he would sit there, and followed the wagon homeward bound, a gun in each hand, expecting every minute to be attacked by the band. He reached his home, however, without being molested. But next morning he heard that the same Indians had killed and scalped a sheepherder near the place where Peterson had met them the day before.

          Later on, the Indians made a raid on Salina and drove off nearly all the cattle up Salina, canyon. Peterson and a company of men from Salina followed the Indians up the canyon. They were following a trail on a sidehill through thick cedars when suddenly the Indians, entrenched in the cliffs above, opened fire on them and they were forced to retreat to Salina. The Indians killed two men beating along the creek on their way out with cattle. The next day the settlers were reinforced and set out again to overtake the Indians. They recovered most of the cattle and horses, followed the Indians as far east as Green River, where they again had to give up the chase. On their way back they lost their trail and almost lost their lives for want of water and food. When at the point of giving up all hopes of finding their way back they ran into a little spring and being nearly exhausted from starvation they decided to kill a horse for food, when suddenly some men appeared at a distance. They thought they were Indians, but as luck would have it, it was a company with supplies, and again he was spared, and the entire posse returned to Salina. These are only a few of the many narrow escapes Eskild C. Peterson had when Sanpete and Sevier counties were first settled.
 He moved his family to Richfield and built a one-room adobe house with willows and a red dirt roof. They lived in this until the Indians became so hostile; they had to move back to Mt. Pleasant.

          In 1871 he, with many other people, returned to Richfield eager to make a new beginning. Eskild C. Peterson was a most capable and useful man, a true pioneer who knew how to adjust himself to his new environment.

          According to Peter Peterson, son of E.C. Peterson, the old cabin which is the Richfield DUP Relic Hall, North of the Library was built about 1878 on the Peterson lot on First South and First East Streets in Richfield, Utah. The logs to build it were hauled from Cove Mountain by Peter and his father. He was but a small boy of ten, but he rode a horse, dragging the logs to the wagon. When they returned home with the logs, the boy sat on them to steady them while his father hewed and shaped them with an ax. After the cabin was finished, a year or two later, it was used for a granary.

          He helped dig the first canal in Richfield, this was done with spades, later he was a director of this canal. He was in a partnership with James M. Peterson in the first Workingmen’s Co-op store and was Superintendent of that store for eight years. He was the manager of the Right-of-way when the train first came to Richfield. He was county treasurer from 1876-78. He was a City Councilman for three different terms. He was a director of the Otter Creek Reservoir and Superintendent for several years.

          He freighted hides and grain and wool to various points in Nevada and Utah. Some of the trips would take him more than two weeks.

          He worked hard and long when the train first came to Richfield. His partner Niels Poulson was drowned in a flood in one of the creeks south of Richfield. Niels had all the papers with him when he went down the stream, so Eskild had to pay many of the working men from his own money. Also, pay for much of the material that was used to build the railroad track. This caused him much worry and anxiety.

          According to Eudora Miller’s history of her mother, she said, “The women were wondering and worrying how and where they could get something they could prepare for food for their families. She would stand in line with other women waiting her turn to grind a little barley in a coffee mill owned by E.C. Peterson, for mush or bread and then cooking what little food she obtained at the fireplace that had no grate.”

          While he was a young man, he had the misfortune of having one of his eyes put out while hunting deer. The cartridge exploded and left a piece of copper in his eye. He lay for many months at death's door; however, his good wife dug wild flag roots and pounded them until they became soft and moist. She put this on his eye to draw the infection out. When he was well enough to ride to Salt Lake City, he was taken to the doctor, and the doctor removed the piece of copper. However, he lost the sight of his eye and wore a glass eye.

          They were the parents of nine children, Christine Marie (Stena Erickson, Peter Christian, Andrea Sean, Laura, Clara (Clara Devine), Charley, Ernes, and Flossie, (Floss Kirkman).

          Grandma Sena Peterson died February 21, 1922 in Richfield, Utah. Our father Ernest Lewis Peterson died April 5, 1922 and Grandpa Eskild Peterson died April 19, 1923. 

Just a quick note to let you all know that I have missed blogging for a long time. My life has been busy with a multitude of things. I will be doing a June and July blog post of precious June moments with my husband and other activities and our 2019 family reunion. Our reunion this year was a spectacular one. I hope you will drop by and see all the fun events that we had with our large posterity. I will share some delightful music with my grandchildren.

Spring Is Here~

Finally, Spring Is Here. The blooms in front of our home are so beautiful right now. It has been nonstop rain here for a long time, so it's lovely to feel the warmth of the sun. 

Life has been very busy at our home for the last couple

 of months so here is an update for April and May.

 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints holds a semi-annual General Conference each year in April.  We took a moment to go to Idaho Falls to spend some quality time with our family there. Our daughter and family from Spokane came down for this weekend,

 so we were able to have some moments with two of our families.

 We enjoyed many fun moments with them all. We watched all of

 Conference sessions on TV ate, played games, and just enjoyed one another. 

 Some of the kids had a great time at the hotel swimming pool. 

We went out to dinner one evening, which was nice. 

Our Grandson, Christian, came for a brief visit the following week
. It's is the best when Grandchildren visit. 

We had fun taking our three grandchildren; Alyssa, Emma, and

 Ben with us to a fun movie. These three have been living with us but are moving soon. 

This photo of the two of us was taken on Mother's Day~

 Next was our Stake Relief Society Service Activity. Our Presidency worked on putting this all together for the last few months. Our Theme was Sisters, Just Serve. Our Service projects were taken from the site; "Just Serve.org." We had a lovely program to start the day off. Our featured speaker was Bonnie Harris. She is a local Vocalist and has a rich alto voice. She sang three numbers and then talked about serving one another and ministering as the Savior would have us do. Our beloved Stake President Tim McCoy also spoke.

 It was a lovely program. 

Afterward, all the sisters met in the cultural hall and other rooms throughout the building to do 70 Refugee Kits for all ages, Quilting, Fleece Blankets, and other small projects. Lunch was also provided. It was a great day, and we had around 180 Sisters come and complete these projects. Here are the photos of this spectacular event. 

We attended our Grandson, Joshua's Soccer Game. It's fun to watch him play. 

He's a great goalie and also does well on the field. 

 On The 22nd of May, we attended our Grandson, Jonathan's High School Graduation.

 We are so proud of him. He is a straight-A student with some great goals ahead. We went out to lunch first with his parents and then on to graduation.

 It was fun to be with most of the family. 

While we were in Heber, we stopped by to see our Daughter in law, Jessica who just had surgery. Here she is with our three Great Granddaughter's Jadyn, Lilly, and Myah.

 It was extras special to spend some moments with them. 

We attended the Birthday party for some good friends that we made while on our mission. Aaron turned 15 years old, and we loved watching a group of them try to hit the Pinata. 

On Memorial Day we went to Bountiful to visit my dear in-laws' graves.

 It was a beautiful day to honor them. I was a little sad that I couldn't get down to visit my Parents and brother's graves too. 

 Next was two High School Graduations on May 29th, for two of our Grandchildren, Ethan from Sugar City, and Taylor Jo from Idaho Falls.

Both graduations were at the same time, so we had to split for the exact moment. 

We spent some time on Tuesday night with our family in Sugar City. 

We went out to eat, and the food was yummy. 

 Here are some photos of our Grandson, Ethan's graduation.

 My husband went to this one. He said it was really an excellent program. 

 On Wednesday, we went to lunch with our Granddaughter, Taylor Jo, her parents and her boyfriend, Ethan. Christian in the lower photo was working and couldn't join us. 

 Here is our beautiful, Taylor Jo. I attended her graduation, and it was an extra fun one.

 She was Magna Cum Laude. 

Finally, our precious Granddaughter, Haven, graduated from Pre-school. She is our youngest Granddaughter. Love this sweet one so much!

As you can see, we had a very busy month of other beautiful moments with various activities. I'm looking forward to some quiet times. We do have one more granddaughter, Sarah's graduation this next month. 

We are excited to spend some time with her family in Washington. 

Happy Mother's Day To All Women Everywhere~

Mother's Day can bring mixed feelings to many of us. There are all types of different kinds of mothers. In fact, I believe that because we are women we are mothers whether we have a child or not. A loving Heavenly Father has blessed us as part of our heavenly genetic make-up a nurturing heart. Here we have opportunities to let that grow within us as we have, teach, work with and enjoy moments with children. 
Here is a link to an article you might enjoy entitled: "Five Types of Mother." 
Here is a list of the 5 types of Mothers as found in this article:  The Imperfect Mother, The Childless Mother, The Mother Battling Infertility, The Mother Who Placed Her Child For Adoption, and The Mother Who is Waiting To Reunite With Her Children In Heaven. 
Always remember that you are enough. Here is a video by "The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints entitled: "You Are Enough." 


I want to wish you all a very Happy Mother's Day no matter what your circumstances might be. You are a beloved daughter of our Heavenly Parents, and you have s loving brother, Jesus Christ. You are never alone because they are always near. Reach for them in those moments of mothering doubts. 
I have been blessed with an angle Mother who taught me well what a good Mother is supposed to be. She has passed on into the Spirit World, and I miss her more than words can express. I would give anything to dial the phone and hear her precious voice. I still need her wisdom and guidance. There are times when I do feel her near. 
My dear Mother in law is also on my mind frequently. She too is in the heavenly realm. I have sincere gratitude for her son, my husband who has blessed me beyond measure and I know she had a significant influence on him becoming the magnificent husband and father he is today. 
Then I have three beautiful daughters, and lovely three daughters-in-law and two granddaughters in-laws that I think are terrific mothers. I loved to watch them as they nurture their children. 
Then many friends show me how much they love their families and are dedicated to caring tenderly for them. 
Many women have no children, but as they interrelate with children, you can see their nurturing side. I would call them mothers.
Motherhood is the greatest calling that we can have on this earth. We can fulfill that divine desire of our Heavenly Father to lovingly care for his children as they come into this world.
Have a spectacular Mother's Day Celebration all you marvelous women out there. 
With Great love to you all! 

"The Living Christ"

The following document was written and signed by our First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in April of 2000.

The Living Christ
The Testimony of the Apostles
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

As we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ two millennia ago, we offer our testimony of the reality of His matchless life and the infinite virtue of His great atoning sacrifice. None other has had so profound an influence upon all who have lived and will yet live upon the earth.

He was the Great Jehovah of the Old Testament, the Messiah of the New. Under the direction of His Father, He was the creator of the earth. “All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made” (John 1:3). Though sinless, He was baptized to fulfill all righteousness. He “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38), yet was despised for it. His gospel was a message of peace and goodwill. He entreated all to follow His example. He walked the roads of Palestine, healing the sick, causing the blind to see, and raising the dead. He taught the truths of eternity, the reality of our premortal existence, the purpose of our life on earth, and the potential for the sons and daughters of God in the life to come.

He instituted the sacrament as a reminder of His great atoning sacrifice. He was arrested and condemned on spurious charges, convicted to satisfy a mob, and sentenced to die on Calvary’s cross. He gave His life to atone for the sins of all mankind. His was a great vicarious gift in behalf of all who would ever live upon the earth.

We solemnly testify that His life, which is central to all human history, neither began in Bethlehem nor concluded on Calvary. He was the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten Son in the flesh, the Redeemer of the world.

He rose from the grave to “become the firstfruits of them that slept” (1 Cor. 15:20). As Risen Lord, He visited among those He had loved in life. He also ministered among His “other sheep” (John 10:16) in ancient America. In the modern world, He and His Father appeared to the boy Joseph Smith, ushering in the long-promised “dispensation of the fulness of times” (Eph. 1:10).

Of the Living Christ, the Prophet Joseph wrote: “His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun, and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying:

“I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father” (D&C 110:3–4).

Of Him, the Prophet also declared: “And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!

“For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—

“That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God” (D&C 76:22–24).

We declare in words of solemnity that His priesthood and His Church have been restored upon the earth—“built upon the foundation of … apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone” (Eph. 2:20).

We testify that He will someday return to earth. “And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together” (Isa. 40:5). He will rule as King of Kings and reign as Lord of Lords and every knee shall bend, and every tongue shall speak in worship before Him. Each of us will stand to be judged of Him according to our works and the desires of our hearts.

We bear testimony, as His duly ordained Apostles—that Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God. He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the right hand of His Father. He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son.

(The Church of JesusChrist of Latter-Day Saints)

Here is the testimony of our Living Prophet and Apostles of today testifying of The Living Christ on Rome, Italy in March 2019 



This past month in celebrating Easter, I thought about the great message that came from this critical document that was published by our Prophet and Apostles in of April of 2000. 
This last Sabbath Day our Stake Presented a spectacular Choir production entitled: "The Living Christ." The music and narration were powerful, and my testimony was strengthened. I have a deep faith in our Living Christ. I know that He suffered for all of our sins and died on Calvery and three days later, He broke the bands of death and lives again. Because of Him, we can all live again. 
As I have had my own family pass into the Spirit World; I know that I will see them again. This brings great comfort to my soul. 
Enjoy this beautiful rendition of "I Know That My Redeemer Lives."