A hard heart. You’ve met them. You’ve carried them. A stubbornness to prove you’re right. Like Pharaoh who would not allow the Hebrews a weekend off to worship their god - for that was all that Moses initially asked him for.

It’s interesting to keep in mind that anger is, in truth, a manifestation of fear. Fear that you might be wrong? Fear of change? That someone else might know more? Be more powerful? Guess what. There are a lot of people who know more and are more powerful than us, and it might be those we take our anger out on.

Above all, there is a Father and Son who know us better than we know ourselves. Are you afraid of them? Or the change they offer?

I gather weekly with those coming from incarceration. Occasionally there will be someone new who sits in the back, eyes blaring, arms firmly crossed over chest- the protective stance that shouts - stay away! I’ve seen that stance disappear in only minutes after listening to a song that testifies of Christ. With tears running down their faces their stance softens into a plea to be held - by the Savior. ‘My heart was doing hard time, pleading ‘Jesus!’, .. (he) Said I’m wanted for a diff’rent reason .. I found freedom on the inside.’

On The Inside - Andrew Ripp

As I get to bring the Lord’s love to these friends through music, they often return the favor, sharing with me songs and artists that are meaningful to them. Katy Nicole is on those charts, with words of raw anguish turning into gentle hope. ‘I’ve got so many questions and so much - fear.. This war inside is flesh and spirit, and it feels like flesh is gonna win it.’

An Honest Conversation - Katy Nicole

Pharaoh’s heart would not soften. Not through plagues that would culminate in the death of his own son, even as the Hebrews marked with the blood of a lamb were protected - a pass-over of the angel of death, remembered ever since.

For Christians, observance of Passover rituals has been replaced by partaking of communion or sacrament, though each uses profound symbols for remembrance. A new year or a renewed birth; blood of a slain lamb; bread- unleavened in haste to remove former cultures, a body broken on a cross; bitter herbs and a bitter cup. All symbols testify of Jesus Christ and His Messianic mission of freeing all from the bondage of sin, and death. ‘Jesus, the Lamb of God, Oh what a savior; You took the altar and made it a table.’ Remember the Lord’s grace in protecting us. Of His delivering us. Remember to keep Him in our hearts with humility and gratitude.

Remember - Steffany Gretzinger

Here is an invitation to join in a healing prayer - to let go of whatever fear is in your heart. Allow hardness in your heart to break. Allow divine hands to hold your hidden tenderness, and reshape it. There is joy to be found, joy to be had. ‘I am found. I am yours. I am loved. I’m made pure. ... I am healed. I am free!’

Here’s My Heart - Casting Crowns

Find freedom - on the inside.

In many Christian traditions we take a memorial walk through the Easter week with Jesus.

It begins with Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Jesus had avoided Jerusalem for some time, knowing that the Jewish leaders sought his death. On this day, resigned to what must come, he entered through the Eastern Gate riding upon a young donkey - a symbol of peace - and a fulfillment of prophecy. (Zechariah 9:9) Many thronged the streets to welcome him, waving and laying down palm fronds symbolizing victory, triumph, peace, and royalty, recognizing him as King of King, the promised Messiah. We remember this as Palm Sunday.

News of Jesus spread, as it is spreading today. ‘Go tell the world about me’

The Commission - CAIN

Cleansing Monday - Jesus cleanses the temple. If being praised on the streets as Messiah the day before hadn’t got the attention of the church leaders- this messy ‘cleansing’ certainly would have been an outright insult to them. As if Jesus was purposely trying to get them angry. Or had a very necessary point to make.

The temple, that we regard as sacred, stands as a beautiful reminder of Christ. ‘This Cornerstone, this solid ground, Firm through the fiercest drought and storm’. Although the temple in Jerusalem was destroyed, holy temples are being built worldwide today. However, the temple that is Christ, will not, can not be destroyed!

In Christ Alone - Celtic Worship ft. Steph Macleod

On Teaching Tuesday, Jesus teaches in the temple. On what some call ‘Spy Wednesday’ plots were made for his death - and betrayal. Yet another momentous thing happened that day: While he was eating at someone’s home, a nameless woman came in and anointed Jesus from head to foot with oil, with her tears and her hair she bathed his feet. More than many of his closest friends, she understood who he was, and what was to come for him. So I’ll call this Anointing Wednesday. A time to remember just who Christ is, and what he does in my own life.

Maundy Thursday, coming from the Latin word mandatum = commandment = Eucharist/Sacrament. At the last supper Jesus taught the sacramental ordinance with bread and wine, which we participate in today. It is a reminder of him, his body and blood spilt on our behalf.

Then came the long night spent in Gethsemane. I know you want the song. ‘The hardest thing that ever was done, The greatest pain that ever was known, The biggest battle that ever was won— This was done by Jesus! The fight was won by Jesus!’

Gethsemane - The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square & a Children’s Choir

It was early Friday morning, which we now call Good Friday, after a long and painful night Jesus was taken by authorities. Through a speedy trial, with no one there to act as his advocate, he was sentenced to death. A cruel death, with additional punishments that all meant to humiliate. Flogging, to tear muscles and tendons of a strong body. A crown of thorns. A seamless robe of scarlet or purple was meant as a mockery of priestly or kingly authority. And then, injured and bloodied, he was forced to carry his own crossbeam (average 110 lbs) upon which he would be nailed.

‘I’ll carry my cross and I’ll carry the shame ... And I’ll do it for love; No it won’t be in vain.’ He carried OUR shame! He will lift OUR cross to help OUR burden become light.

Carry My Cross - Third Day/TheGreatGazolio

What happened on Saturday? For me this is the most magnificent day that we seldom talk about. Jesus was in the Spirit World, with many who had been waiting for him, had watched him through his ordeals, perhaps had offered strength. I imagine a first embrace with his adopted father, Joseph, covered in tears for the pain that had been endured. — It is those who are imprisoned in death who are his reason. He went through mortality - to break the hold of death. That’s what it was all about.

What did that look like, when on Easter Sunday morning those bands were broken? Mortal and spirit combined again with something more - an essence that is eternal. Immortal. That now becomes apart of us all - after death - because of Jesus. Imagine those in the spirit world with him alighting from their prison!

‘He won the fight we’d never win, so we will rise and testify of him.’

Jesus the Christ - Carrie Yost

I testify of Him. He lives. We will live again- as something grander. What a glorious thing to celebrate.

Easter Song - Glad, with video from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Let us not be short-sighted. Have a Happy, Glorious Easter!

Egypt was a good place for the Israelites to be. Until it wasn’t. A contract had been made between Joseph and Pharaoh to give the family of Israel a place to live. Generations later, Joseph and the contract forgotten, Israel was seen as a growing nuisance to be dealt with. Oh, my heart aches that this sounds all too familiar even today.

The book of Exodus begins with deliverers, Shiphrah and Puah. Not familiar with their names? They are midwives. Ordered by the king to not let the Hebrew male babies live from childbirth, it was an order they could not follow, as they were believers of God.

Then Jochabed delivers a son in birth, delivers from death by keeping him hidden. She sends him in faith with a prayer that God will deliver him to a safe place. The baby’s sister Miriam watches closely, witnesses the Egyptian princess Bithiah (traditional name used by some Jews). Miriam then delivers a wet-nurse for the baby - his own mother - that Bithiah employs for his care.

This is shown beautifully in the beginning musical minutes of ‘The Prince of Egypt’.

Deliver Us/ Prince of Egypt - Musical Moments

The theme of ‘deliverers’ continue as Moses flees Egypt and finds himself in the land of Midian. He delivers the daughters of Jethro from thieves trying to steal their flock. Jethro gives to Moses his daughter Zipporah, and tradition teaches he also gives, or delivers, the priesthood to Moses.

Then one day Moses is guided to a sacred place on a mountain, where God delivers a message and a mission: ‘Deliver.’

There is so much empty space in this story overview. Reality is that life is lived in the empty spaces. Between the problems and salvation comes long times of prayer and waiting, an action of faith; pray and wait, act on faith - repeat and repeat.

‘‘Why, God, why do ya always gotta take your time?’ … I know you think if you were Him you’d have rescued you by now.’

Better Yet - Leanna Crawford

In our living and searching comes discovery of the sacred: moments that open to a glimpse of the divine. These moments - tender mercies - guiding light - are blessed gifts that we can seek and find. ‘Think a sacred song … and in that very hour your heart and mind will open to let the spirit in.’

Think A Sacred Song - Marlene Summers Merkling

Somewhere in these times we, too, are blessed to be deliverers. Even the smallest of us can deliver someone from sadness, loneliness, or despair. Combining efforts small or grand we deliver the desperate from hunger, disease, tragedy or crisis. In our efforts, windows are opened to bring in the divine, hand in hand to deliver.

‘My deliverer is coming. My deliverer is standing by. I will never doubt His promise!’

My Deliverer - Rich Mullins

By using our hands, both receiver and giver are delivered.

Joseph needed to be in Egypt. Did his brothers have to betray him to get him there? I’m sure God could have found another way, but God uses what is presented from our choices. Joseph needed to be in Egypt so he would be in the right place at the right time to save his family. And he was.

Remarkably, through all the things he faced to get him in the right place at the right time, Joseph never turned away from God. If he had succumbed to Mrs. Potipher’s advances, for instance, I believe he not only would have been discovered - perhaps by her betraying him - but it would have been cause for him be put to death. Potipher then, did him a kindness by sending him to prison.

In prison (or those seemingly impossible pits we often find ourselves in) Joseph must have been in a state of constant prayer, holding to his faith through heavy discouragements and doubts. Lifted in pinpricks of light as he finds small places where he can be of some help or comfort to another, finding acts of kindness. Continuing in faith, he is blessed with opportunity to share his unique gifts, his services eventually leading him beyond his prison walls.

Laura Story’s remarkable song is often on my mind as I pray for blessings: ‘What if the blessings come through raindrops? What if the healing comes through tears? What if a thousand sleepless nights is what it takes to know you’re near?’

Blessings - Laura Story

Many years pass. Joseph is now on a throne, second only to Pharaoh, when he sees his brothers - his conniving, treacherous brothers - at his feet asking for his help. How do you respond when you are face to face with someone who has betrayed you? I’ve been in that place, and have responded in different ways: hold on to the grudge or to let it go? I imagine we all have stood at that threshold. Joseph’s response was not only compassionate, but also with maturity gleaned from his trials. In Genesis 50:20 he tells his brothers, “…Ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.”

‘Show me how to love the unlovable... help me now to do the impossible forgiveness,’ Matthew West pleads in this song.

Matthew West - Forgiveness

It’s not just big hurts that bring us pain, but lots of little hurts, often inflicted on those, or by those, we love most. How can we stop hurtful patterns?

I can’t listen to this next song without feeling better afterward; I’ve had this video on my list for some time and forgotten to share. I’m sharing it here as a visual of leaving hurts behind and instead remembering our love.

Better Place - Rachel Platten

The Joseph Smith translation of the Bible continues the book of Genesis for several more verses and the blessing offered to Joseph in Egypt. JST Gen 50:30 “And again, a seer will I raise up out of the fruit of thy loins, and unto him will I give power to bring forth my word unto the seed of thy loins; 33..and his name shall be called Joseph, and it shall be after the name of his father; and he shall be like unto you; for the thing which the Lord shall bring forth by his hand shall bring my people unto salvation.”

This was the mission of Joseph - to save people suffering through a famine. This is a foreshadowing of the mission of Jesus - to save people through His atoning blood. This is a foretelling of the mission of Joseph Smith - to save people through restoring covenants of salvation.

The Joseph Smith Song - Maxine Soakai

There is a divine plan. Within that plan is our agency, with many paths to choose from. God will not coerce us nor those around us; but as shown with Joseph and his brothers, God can make our choices and our hurts become the very things for our growth, and even our salvation.

As we are now in the story of Joseph, I shall refer you to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”. Nothing further needed. End Post. Look it up and enjoy!

If you’re in Utah you might understand that we have a fetish with this musical. We love to play with it in many ways on stage, and I’ve seen a few fun renditions. I particularly enjoyed Hale Center Theater Orem’s Youth performance in 2024 which included cell phone social memes, Taylor Swift (a queenly lookalike), a prized Stanley Cup, and eleven entertaining brothers you’d wanna take home with you, all on a stage the size of your living room. (The theater has since upgraded to The Ruth Theater in Pleasant Grove, Utah)

But others of us have things to say about this story, too, for it’s loaded with meaning.

One big lesson from this story, is that good people have to go through tough stuff. So how, as we are going through hard things, are we supposed to feel the Lord with us?

Let’s start by not letting go of our faith that God remains with us, that he has a plan for us, and somehow our difficulties is part of that plan. This is well illustrated in another good musical.

You Know Better Than I - (Joseph King of Dreams)

Then comes times of temptation. You might be well acquainted with some, as I am. How do we get through those times when we feel weakest, wanting to grab onto something that offers brief relief, only to make us more vulnerable in the long run?

Active Christianity offers the advice: to decide long before you’re faced in the moment to decide. ‘With God’s power and a firm decided mind, you the joy of victory will surely find.’

A Decided Mind - ActiveChristianity

Country Gospel Revival assures that ‘When the darkness tries to claim my soul, whispers of doubt pulling me down below; I lift my eyes to the cross, to my Savior’s life. In His name I’ll stand and I’ll fight.’

Rebuke the Devil - Country Gospel Revival

Potiphar is an interesting anti-hero. He put all his trust in Joseph, trusted him with his whole household and all his wealth, therefore Joseph must have proven to be trustworthy. When his wife threw accusations that Joseph had been the one to make advances toward her, did Potiphar have the same trust in her to believe her? I’ve heard it suggested that palace servants would have known her character, as would her husband. Yet even if he knew she was lying, and possibly unfaithful, he had to stand by her - preserve her integrity over a servant’s. So Joseph paid the unfortunate price of being sent to prison.

All part of a bigger plan. Can we, like Joseph, stay true with God when we are thrown under the bus by another, paying for mistakes that were not ours?

Let us also be assured that God’s plan for us isn’t contrary to our own plans. He honors what we want. He wants to help us achieve the best part of our own desires. ‘Every effort I make He makes greater, for when He is with me I’m strong.’

God Will Prepare a Way - Shawna Edwards Music

Don’t lose faith or hope, for even when things look hopeless and desperate, God is with us, is walking with us on the path through.

We don’t get a lot of romance in reading the bible, although there are quite a few romantic stories. A standout is Isaac and Rebekah. A servant sent to a far place to choose a bride for Isaac. The servant’s prayer to God that the chosen woman will be at the well and offer water, not only to the man, but also his camels. And who shows up - Rebekah.

I have a daughter named Rebecca and it’s easy for me to see her in this story. She, like Rebekah of old, is one who sees a need and jumps in to take care of it, like opening the Thanksgiving feast to those who need family for the day, or providing water for a thirsty traveler and his camels, and recognizing God’s hand in the man’s errand.

Gen 24: 58 ‘And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go.’ When Isaac first saw her from a distance, and when he took her to wife, ‘he loved her’.

‘Rebekah came with her pitcher in hand, graceful and kind as if Heaven had planned, drink my lord ... a divine sign revealed in this offering ...Yes, I’ll go there.’

Rebekah’s Kindness: A Divine Sign - Short Song Sessions

As a mother, Rebekah knew well the character of her twin sons, Esau and Jacob. As Isaac’s wife she was part of the covenant - the binding or Akedah - of Isaac with God. Esau showed his disrespect for this covenant when he ‘sold his birthright’ to his brother because he was hungry; and then when he took wives from the Hittites.

As Isaac became too old to ‘see clearly’, Rebekah then had to be the one to ensure that the son who would honor the covenant was the one who received the birthright. She saw what was needed, and in clever fashion made sure that it happened.

Sent away to his mother’s brother, Jacob quickly falls in love with his cousin Rachel. For seven years Jacob works to earn his beloved Rachel’s hand in marriage. That is pretty romantic. And then to be tricked and get a disguised Leah as his wife - well, perhaps that’s his comeuppance for having tricked his father. Certainly Jacob received more than he bargained for. He is being taught that ‘What’s delayed is never lost ... You still keep the promise, God. Not the way we dreamed, but still your hand is over everything.’

Faithful in the Waiting - All For God’s Children

After an additional seven years of working for Uncle Laban, Jacob sets to return home taking with him four wives, the beginnings of a family that would become twelve sons and a daughter, along with large flocks and servants. With such considerable wealth he was nonetheless nervous to face his brother Esau again, and afraid of what he would find on his return home.

He makes a stop on his way, and the story goes that he wrestled with a messenger from God. Jacob refuses to let go of the messenger, ‘unless you bless me’. And Jacob receives this blessing: [Gen 32:28] ‘Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.’

‘Let God prevail, He is by your side ... through the storms of this life.’

Let God Prevail - Gibson Sisters

The story ends with Jacob’s return home. [Gen33:4] ‘And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept.’

This, too, is a beautiful love story - of brothers who can forgive and be reconciled.

‘Let God prevail’. This is the meaning of the name Israel. A name that all who follow with God carry today.

Abraham’s wife, Sarah, was a complicated woman. She was a beauty. Apparently even into her old age. Yet she had borne no children, which brought her shame. She was pragmatic, suggesting that Abraham should get a son through her handmaid Hagar. It worked. Sarah was also jealous, or perhaps unwilling to be pitied, causing Hagar and her son Ishmael to be sent away.

When heavenly messengers came to say she would bear a son, she laughed - in unbelief or joy?- I imagine a mixture of both. She was a complicated woman. I like her. I understand her.

I too am at a time where I’m finally getting to things that perhaps I should have done years ago, things I never would have thought possible or considered years ago. Like blogging. What?!

‘The universe is a concert, everything moves in time, and everything can happen when the moment is right. ...I’m a rocky start, maybe that’s by design.’

Sarah Laughed - Joe Buchanan

Lot’s wife was probably a lot of fun, living for the moment, not worrying for some imagined future. A future she apparently could not deal with. She would not let go of the past, looking backward.

We don’t have to make that mistake. Our past, the good and not so good, are building blocks; they don’t need to be our stumbling blocks.

‘Every hard fall back in yesterday, every stumble that I’ve yet to make, the cross redeems and washes away.’

Mistakes - Unspoken

Issac was the promise for the future. How loved and full of joy he must have been. He also had undeniable faith - in his father Abraham, and in God.

The Akedah, [Binding of Isaac] is read each year for Rosh Hashanah. This troubling story brings to mind our own willingness to be obedient, to sacrifice our own desires to be God’s servant, of being tested. It ultimately is a story of hope, that God will provide. A ram’s horn [shofar] is blown to represent the binding, and a call to repentance. To me it’s a reminder that Isaac himself chose to be part of the covenant, whether that would be in this life or the next. I’m glad he could do both.

Ultimately, the Akedah is a representation of Jesus Christ, who likewise made the choice to be the sacrifice. He was the lamb. His alter was a cross. God the Father did not intervene this time, knowing that this was the only way death could be conquered. Christ had to go through it to vanquish its permanence from both sides, to bring life back from death.

Binding and Crucifixion - Beit HaDarekh, Ladder of Jacob

Life is hard. Maybe that’s the whole point of it, because we’re stuck where we can’t see the whole picture, can’t understand how the blocks are fitting together, because they too often won’t fit the way we want to stack them; they keep falling over.

Don’t lose faith. Laugh when you can. Keep eyes going forward. Do your part. ‘The only way through is an hallelujah!’

Benjamin William Hastings, Blessing Offor - That’s The Thing About Praise

Life is hard. Hard is good. We can do hard things, and FIND JOY IN THEM.

Above is a picture in our home that represents ‘Abraham’s Fountain’. From a single well flow three great religious nations: Islam, Jew, and Christian. Yet that is not the limits of the covenant God made with our father Abraham.

Genesis 12:3 “…and ALL peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” That means 100% of us, regardless of our religion or genetic lineage. The covenant made with Abraham is the same covenant that was made to all before we came to earth. It is the same that is also called ‘The New and Everlasting Covenant’.

Abraham was given ‘Covenant’ promises of Prosperity and Posterity, to be father of many people and many lands. How ironic, then, that for most of his mortal life he wandered from place to place with no permanent home, and only in his old age was at last able to have two sons born to him. Could he have understood then the parameters of what that covenant promise really meant? Do we?

‘On this altar, on this road, ... The weight I carry is not my own... How can I walk in my new name? Father of many the promise you gave.’

Abraham - Josh Baldwin

It’s been a few thousand years since Abraham’s time on earth, and it’s taken a few thousand years to see these promises being fulfilled. Exciting thing is that we are not only part of the fulfilling as Abraham’s seed, but also as heirs to that same covenant. It is upon us today to answer the call to bless the whole earth!

‘We are the seed of the promise, alive in the promise today.’

Abraham’s Seed - WorshipBlend

It is amazing how the corners of the earth are now in such easy reach of each other. I chat with friends in Tennessee or Bangkok as easily as I talk to friends across the street. I can travel to be in their homes in a matter of hours, [‘tho long hours in a cramped airplane seat]. I have to believe that there is divine love and power behind our technological advances, allowing us to come together, to see and connect our brotherhood around the globe. This is what we are born for today.

‘I trust the plan of the God who loves me.’

Promises - I AM THEY

For thousands of years we have been scattering, spreading throughout the earth. Today is the time that has been prophesied from the beginning, when all nations will be gathered again. We are the gatherers.

The Blessing of All Nations - Short Song Sessions

So this is my little offering, reaching sisters and brothers around the globe! Let us make a joyful noise! We are family!

Genesis 6:12 ‘And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. 13 . . . the earth is filled with violence. . .;’

Does this sound like today. You bet it does! Yet this is talking about the days of Noah! It had become so bad that God called for a do-over, going back to a world covered in water and creating it again.

I have to wonder, did anyone come knocking at Noah’s door wanting to learn more about this God and Heaven that he taught? Did anyone take time to read the flyers, Guidepost articles? Did they never listen to the Prophet’s conference talks? I assume any who were listening to a prophet went to Enoch’s neighborhood where they were eventually lifted up by God, leaving Noah and his family alone in the ‘bad’ neighborhood to build a houseboat as they were directed by God.

How did they talk about the creation of the earth, or the Garden of Eden? How could they have forgotten and toss it all aside so quickly? Living in a fallen world, mankind has become so stubborn that we’ve continued in corruption and violence ever since.

After thousands of years, we are again facing a new creation to come. Are you ready? Will you be chosen to be called up with Zion, or will God have other plans for you to serve him.

Days of Noah - Eleventh Hour Worship

Where can we find refuge when we’re surrounded in troubled times? Have you ever considered the ark as a type for the Savior? “Your love is the ark that lifts me up; with you I walk through every storm.”

Noah Song - Bible Music

The Bible’s next lesson in foolish corruption comes as the people put their efforts together to build a tower to reach heaven. Yet to find the true way to heaven, is learned when we listen to the Prophets.

Here’s a dad who is learning from prophets, as evident by how he teaches his children. I love all the words Drew has compacted into this musical lesson, too many for young Hannah to sing them all.

The Tower of Babel - Drew and Hannah Colby

We are so grateful for our prophet today, President Dallin H. Oaks, who teaches with a brilliant mind, and a joyful twinkle in his eyes. He teaches that as ‘family’ is the central unit of society we therefore must focus on strengthening families throughout the world. I’m excited to learn more from him.

Here is a wonderful tribute from 2024 for President Russell M. Nelson. In less than eight years as our prophet [Jan 2018 through September 2025] he taught us to buckle up, for much is coming and fast! Think Celestial, be Peacemakers, be Children of the Covenant, let God Prevail. He taught us by his example to be joyful, hopeful, and to enjoy making music!

Prophet’s Medley/ President Nelson - The Bonner Family

More than ever we need a prophet’s voice. Let’s listen!

How do you fill in your name tag? Generally depends on the event you’re wearing it for. More importantly, how do you label yourself?

I frequently ask the question to a group of friends I’m blessed to be able to teach each week, “Who are you?” They’ve learned to answer, “I am a child of God.” I ask, “Is that because you choose to follow in His path to be part of His family? Is it because He’s chosen you as His child; has bought you with the price of his blood? Is it because you are His literal offspring?” The answer is, “Yes! To all!”

What other names do we label on ourselves or others? I hope they are used with compassion.

Hello My Name Is - Mat & Savanna Shaw

What does the Lord call us?

Moses 7:18 And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them.” Zion is not just a city—it is a condition of the heart and spirit. Zion, as the Lord has taught, is “the pure in heart” (Doctrine and Covenants 97:21) As a Zion person, we seek to be part of a Zion community.

Part of God’s covenant with Abraham and his posterity is the blessing of a promised land. Your promised land might be very close to where you already are, near mountains or oceans. It’s with people you want to be around. It feels like home.

Zion - Aaron Shust

Paul frequently called Christ’s followers ‘Saints’; so then “saints” are the body of Christ, Christians, the church. All Christians are considered saints—and at the same time are called to be saints.

When the Saints - Sara Groves

Many of us today identify as ‘Christian’. Wearing that name tells our neighbors that we are believers and followers of Christ, and that there are certain attributes they can expect from us. I am humbled by family and friends, from various church traditions, who gladly proclaim their faith outwardly, not afraid to stand boldly in their faith. I am striving to follow that example as I am not ashamed to be a follower of Christ!

I Am a Christian - NewSong

Whatever name you prefer to use, know that you are indeed a child of God. A child of Jehovah, Messiah, Jesus Christ. He has chosen you, birthed you in His blood.

What do you want your children to know? Here’s part of my list: I want them first to Love. To See Truth. To Believe. To Hope. To have Compassion. To Forgive.

How do we teach our children these things? First we must show through our example. If our example is contrary to our words, a different lesson will be learned.

I imagine Eve and Adam were very much like I was as a new parent - making it up as I went. I’d been blessed by being taught by goodly parents, and they continued with me as support. I believe Heavenly Father was no less of a parent to his first earthly children.

Yet, as parents we can’t help but look back and wonder on the legacy we leave within our children. ‘We are just human, to error prone.’

Children of Eden - Emily Clare

Adam and Eve had many children. They began to populate the earth. Unfortunately they weren’t the only teachers on the planet, as that old serpent still slithered around.

Moses 6:15 And the children of men were numerous upon all the face of the land. And in those days Satan had great dominion among men, and raged in their hearts; and from thenceforth came wars and bloodshed; and a man’s hand was against his own brother, in administering death, because of secret works, seeking for power.

This hurts my heart. Yet alongside so much beauty and love, this is the world we live in. What we focus on is what we will see.

Teach Your Children - Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

Unfortunately, we can’t help but make mistakes, and we may feel imprisoned by them, literal or figurative. Believe in the glimmer of hope offered as we repair and come back from mistakes.

John Hilton III teaches: ‘You are never too lost to be found.’ We are all still children here. Christ knows where you are. Call His name and he’ll be at your side, tenderly guiding you home.

Jesus ‘Bout My Kids - Luke Bryan

Let us find joy in our parenting. Our children are precious. We must be precious too to be entrusted with them.

Teach them to love as you love them, as you show love for others and this crazy world we are apart of, and as you love our divine parents.

Teach Me to Walk/Mother Tell Me a Story - Monica Scott

Teach me to walk IN THE LIGHT. In truth. In hope. Hand in hand with infinite love.

The great debate: Was Eve and Adam wrong in eating the forbidden fruit? Was the Messiah coming to redeem mankind the follow-up plan because of the fall of Adam and Eve?

Adam and Eve - Shawna Edwards

I believe that Eve and Adam had to partake of the fruit - by their own choice. Being told when to eat it would have violated their agency. They had to get to the point where they realized the necessity of leaving the protection of the garden. To multiply and replenish the earth with children was the plan all along.

Redemption of a Savior was always Plan A.

I love the part in the play Children of Eden when Eve realizes the spark of creation within herself. I can identify with that.

1. At some point being taken care of gets tiresome. We want to pull up our own pants, choose our own shirt. Feed ourselves the peas, or choose the Fruit Loops instead. Walk and run and jump on our own feet. Get off the cruise ship and make our own dinner, sleep in our own bed, face the challenges of our lives.

2. It is in our genetic makeup to create. Something. To be a care GIVER. To DO!

3. What a thrill to find we have the ability within ourselves to make things happen! That is JOY!

Children of Eden/Spark of Creation - Stephanie Mills (you may need to refresh and unmute)

@fintothewoodsIncredible. #stephaniemills #childrenofeden #sparkofcreation #fintothewoods #fyp #theatrekid #broadway #westend #papermillplayhouse #musicals #stephenschwartz

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Moses 5:11 “…Were it not for our transgression we never should have had seed, and never should have known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient.”

I hope the joy of that spark still resonates with you. It’s so easy to get lost in today’s cares and forget about Eden. Karolyn Wright Gaines teaches how in a society of great wealth we get lost in pride for what we have created; forgetting how we are blessed. This is our fall.

Garden of Eden - Karolyn Wright Gaines Music

Falling is inevitable, even necessary for our growth. But in falling, landing on our knees or flat on our face, we are then in the position of where we must look up for help, and where we can be lifted to something better. When we yearn for Eden, we discover that the only way to get back there is through our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Falling Down - City of Enoch

Don’t be afraid to fall.

Fall down.

Fall forward.

Fall into His embrace.

What? How? Who? Why? Science answers many of these questions. Philosophy answers many. Religion answers many. These practices are not at odds with each other, but harmonize in explanations from differing views.

The Bible’s explanation of the creation is a very poetic and artistic telling, passed on from generation to generation orally. I imagine the stories put to song as a vehicle to help remember.

Such a pattern is beautifully illustrated by Michael Eldridge from Mission Valley Community Chapel.

The Creation - Acapeldridge

I find some beautiful truths in the patterns shown in the biblical telling of creation. You and I also apply these as we create, whether in building, sewing, art or meal prep: defining purpose, using patterns, determining order, gathering tools and materials, then organizing the materials to become what we intend them to be, to serve the purpose we intend. Not so mystical or mysterious at all. We just don’t have a full understanding yet of the materials God has to work with, and perhaps we want to oversimplify his timing.

We also want to oversimplify the genre of the Bible. What is literal? What is symbolic? We find both in poetry. Do we need to specify as one or the other? Our modern voice is very different from how the ancients spoke. Just as we struggle to learn the language of our sisters and brothers around the globe today, we struggle to learn the language of the ancients. What is found is layers of meaning, both literal and symbolic. Symbiotic in profound truth.

As science gives explanation as to how creation happens, does that diminish the wonder of how this world, the universe in all its complexities, came together. The evidence demands that matter doesn’t organize itself; there must be an architect behind it all. A creator.

Moses 1:31 “And God saw every thing that he had made, and behold, it was very good.” (understatement!)

Creator - Phil Wickham

And then comes mankind. Because we are the WHY.

The Creation of Adam & Eve - My Tiny Tales TV

How each creature came into being is incomprehensible to me, even as I delight in their beauty and variety, or annoyed by a few pesks. As a creature of humankind, I am given to be a steward of this incredible earth and its creatures, flora and fauna. I can find delight in my little piece of this earth, strive to salvage what God created along with what man is creating as we evolve.

Yes, we must evolve. Even as we must also be responsible caretakers.

Day 6: Adam and Eve - Cinematic Piano Orchestra - YoungMin You

What a beautiful world we live in! Thank you, Father Creator!

As soon as we become self-aware we begin to ask the questions of who we are, where do we belong. We recognize the name that is attached to us as an individual, and the name that attaches us to a family. I am ___. We are ___. What does that mean to us?

How profound it is to know that we are first and foremost a child of a ‘God’. Is that because we choose to follow his path to be a good person? Is it because He has chosen us? Is it because we are literal offspring of heavenly parents? Is it because we can grow up to be like them? Yes, to all.

I Am A Child of God - Sung by Kalia! with Sarah Skye

In this song we learn not only who we are as a child, but also what we are as a parent - entrusted with helping our children learn and become.

This favorite tale by Hans Christian Anderson encourages us to see who we truly are.

The Ugly Duckling Song - Walt Disney/ shared by Steve Franklin

Danny Kaye movie version

To know who we are as a child, it certainly helps to know the nature of our parents. Moses and Abraham give astounding insight. Come Follow Me, Moses 1; Abraham 3 Abraham teaches a cosmic lesson, naming the place where God dwells as Kolob, which has inspired this unique and haunting hymn. (may jump to count 1:11 in video, 1:55 begins song)

If You Could Hie to Kolob - Thoughtful faith, with Tabernacle Choir

Mind blowing! Right! Is this what the Old Testament will teach us this year? Yep. When that’s what we’re looking for. Let’s find some treasures together, many of which are found in song.

As simple mortals, we don’t come with the bandwidth to comprehend all truths of God. As children must do, we learn line upon line, adding up complexities to our understanding. (music begins at count :50)

Line Upon Line from Saturday’s Warrier - Lex de Azevedo

And speaking of becoming - Brad Wilcox offers us another verse:

@forallthesaintspod

For All The Saints With Ben Hancock on Instagram: "Brad Wilcox’…

“I am a child of God!” Say it aloud!

What then can I become? What am I becoming each day?

With the new year we are ready to embark on studying the Old Testament, or the Hebrew Bible called Tanakh (תַּנַ״ךְ) in Judaism, an acronym for its three parts: Torah (Teachings), Nevi'im (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings). We’ll delve more into that in later posts.

We often make the mistake of looking at the Old Testament as a history of the world from its beginning until the meridian of time; but while there is certainly history contained therein, the Bible is something very different. As a history it leaves a lot out as the world expands from the center of the fertile crescent, and even in the people of Israel that it is a record of. What it does contain, when you are prepared to pay attention, is a testament of the coming Messiah, or Jesus Christ.

In the following songs, where can you find Jesus Christ? As is common in my posts, the songs are a very eclectic selection that you may or may not care for. And yet, they all bear testimony. Can you hear it?

How does the daily gift of manna from heaven testify of Jesus Christ? Our daily bread?

Manna From Heaven - Gaither Vocal Band

Perhaps it is more common for us to see Jesus as we think of the Sacrificial Lamb slain at the alters of ancient temples adhering to the law of Moses.

The Sacrifice Lamb - Joel Chernoff

When the children of Israel were plagued in the wilderness by poisonous serpents they were tasked to create a bronze serpent, and post it high on a rod for all to see. Those who would look at the bronze serpent were healed by Yahweh from the poison of their bites. So what kept some from being willing to look at the bronze serpent? Did they consider it as representing something evil, as we might today? Yet, what did that bronze serpent represent?

“Look forward, no distractions, peace is near. Put your hands back on the wheel you need to steer. Keep your eyes on the target and don’t fear.” The rock-out loudness of this song might be distracting for some, and just the right volume for others, but listen.

Bronze Serpent - Our Last Night

Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur, is the holiest day in Judaism, focusing on atonement (Kapparah) and repentance (Teshuvah). We’ll get into that in later posts. But let’s take a moment to consider how the story of Jonah reflects not just repentance, but also as a type of Christ’s three days in the tomb, followed by His resurrection and gift of atonement.

Yom Kippur: A Book of Jonah song for kids - Josh Nelson Project “Overboard”

I’m excited for what’s to come this year in studying the Hebrew Bible, the Old Testament. I’m excited for what we might learn together through song.

This blog site has changed beginning in the new year of 2026. With the change, you will get another chance to push the button again to become subscribers again! I hope that button gets lots of hits! Subscribers get the blog sent directly to your email each week. No fees. No pestering. Although I’d welcome comments on the site.

I’ve also enjoyed having some of you reach out to share songs that are meaningful to you. I have tried to honor you by using and sharing your songs as they are relevant with the weekly topics.

2026 study is the Old Testament, or the Tanakh: the Torah, the Prophets, and the Writings. I’m very excited for this course of study. I hope we can enjoy it together, beginning with creation! Are we not all creators?

Happy New Year!

Lisa

Come Follow Me Christmas

“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 Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles

Light of the World – Lauren Daigle

As recipients of His Light, it is our blessed task to spread it! With a smile, kind words, a helping hand. There is also an easy way give His light through the Light the World Giving Machines. Find a kiosk near you, discover how some small dollars can make a difference throughout the world: buy a goat, send clean water, or more. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/welcome/christmas/light-the-world/giving-machines?lang=eng. Help the spreading light make a difference.

Let’s Light the World – The Bonner Family

How many eons did it take to prepare a new star to illuminate, to ‘come to life‘, at the exact same moment that Jesus was born in this life in the most humbling, even desperate of circumstances?

One Star, One Savior – Micheal Webb

I like to think of myself as wise. One who is open to see a sign, recognize what it is a sign of, then is willing to follow light, a star, that leads to truth and life in salvation.

One Small Child/We Three Kings – The Blenders

In her short story, A Christmas Story, H. B. Moore teaches that “the truth of the gospel (is) not a place. It (is) a state of being.” The little Palestine city of Bethlehem, then, is not the only place where our Savior was born, for He is born in each of us.

How Far Is It to Bethlehem? – Tabernacle Choir

Hope – it’s not a wish, but a promise of things to come. We learned young to hope for treasures under a Christmas Tree. It may take us more time before we see the hope encapsulated in our Savior being nailed to a tree.

The Hope of Christmas – Katy Nicole

‘This is Christmas day; Hope has come to stay. Heaven’s Light has found its way.’

Christmas Day – Anupam Mochary

May you find Hope at this Christmas time in celebrating the life, the light of our Savior coming to earth.

The post DECEMBER 22-28: The Matchless Gift of God’s Divine Son appeared first on Follow Him through Music.

Come Follow Me Family Proclamation

It has come to mind that the days of family Minstrels has become increasingly popular. They don’t just come to our village stages, but now are invited right into our homes by way of audio and video recordings that we can enjoy over and over. Many are families led by parents who live and teach the gospel, their gifts of music bringing the light of Christ into our lives. And yet, I’m impressed with the thought that our Heavenly Parents do not micromanage, but allows each of us to give from what’s within ourselves, however that is flavored.

The blended family of Bagleys and Bourns add up to nine children; throw in a bunch of friends, Disney and Broadway highlights and it adds up to Working With Lemons, and many geekable hours of laughing along with them and their remarkable remakes of some of our favorite scenes.

Not a Christmas song, but this 2014 Glorious is a good taste of some early Working With Lemons.

Any who have been lucky enough to be in Branson, Missouri know that the theaters are full of family talent: Haygoods, Duttons, Mabe family Baldknobbers, Brothers SIX, Presleys, Bretts and more. Not just entertaining, but an inspiration to spend time with families whose work is to ‘play’ together.

Enjoy this 2020 Gifts of Christmas, Oh Come Emmanuel by Bransons’ Hughes Brothers.

After the family enjoyed a Bluegrass music festival, Jon and Karen Petersen created a Bluegrass band joining with their four offspring plus one. They now are found on a Branson stage and touring around the country. Enjoy The Petersens 2020 recording of What Child Is This?

Narrowly escaping the Liberian revolution that would have meant death for them, Harry and Debra Bonner followed a path that brought them to western US. Their eight children were forced to carol around the neighborhood each Christmas morning before they could see what Santa brought them. They blend their love of the gospel and family in film and song.

Let’s Light the World – Bonner Family in 2022

Phil and Kim Collinsworth join with their four children to minister the gospel in their music, earning Gospel Music Association awards. Here is their beautiful Christmas message of 2024, Isn’t That Why He Came? – The Collinsworth Family, (Song start at count 5:24)

And the 2025 music treat comes from Nashville with brothers Ben and Chad Truman. Following their father, Dan, into the music business, you’ll also catch them performing as part of The Nashville Tribute Band.

As a summary of how we are blessed by so many family minstrels, here is God Blessed Us, Everyone – Truman Brothers in 2025.

Lastly, as we look to a new year, consider how we move ahead and pay it forward as parents. Take a page of how encouraging love teaches with these daddy-daughter duos of 2020 Grow As We Go – with Mat & Savanna Shaw, the Piano Guys & daughters.

What are you teaching your children? Above all, teach them to love, and that they are loved.

The post DECEMBER 15-21: “The Family Is Central to the Creator’s Plan” PART 2 appeared first on Follow Him through Music.

Come Follow Me Family Proclamation

Family – the most basic organization of society. Always in need. Always in fashion.

What does your family bond over? Sports? Board games? Movies? Because this is a blog about music, it seems fitting to showcase families who have bonded in giving their music to the world. And as it’s Christmas time, I’ll focus on songs of the season. This first part is a tribute to those family bands of decades ago, whose songs we still know.

Like much of the world, I fell in love with the story of the Von Trapp Family Singers. Here is what the real family singers sounded like and why we love their sweet voices.

From 1953, The Christmas Nightingale – The Trapp Family Singers

Most of us know more recent music of the Wilson brothers- known as the Beach Boys. Bee Gees- or brothers Gibb, Smothers Brothers, Pointer Sisters, Jackson 5, Van Halen brothers Eddie and Alex, Everly Brothers, Allman Brothers, the Fogerty brothers of Creedence Clearwater Revival, Selena and her Quintanilla family band. Yeah, we still like their music. Look ’em up again and get some ear candy on!

Let me take you back to 1967 when the Cowsills performed on the Ed Sullivan Show. They would be the inspiration for the fictitious TV Partridge Family, built with actors Shirley Jones and her real-life son David Cassidy.

This is not a Christmas song, but you’ve got to see them in their remarkable early beginnings. The Rain, The Park And Other Things – the Cowsills

This was not the only family band that would become popular from TV variety shows like Ed Sullivan.

In 1992 came this beautiful song. Christmastime (Song 4 Marissa) – The Cowsills

The Pips began in 1952 with siblings Gladys, Merald (Bubba) and Brenda Knight, cousins Eleanor and William Guest. While the Pips members changed over the years, they eventually became known with Gladys as lead, or so I heard it through the grapevine.

As multiple Grammy and American Music Award winners, Gladys Knight & the Pips are inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame^[1] That’s a forever family!

Enjoy this recording from 1975. Do You Hear What I Hear – Gladys Knight & The Pips

As a Utah native I was, of course, invested in our own Osmond family. Able to visit with Merrill Osmond a few years ago, he was marveling on how they still pack in audiences around the world.

Here’s a clip from 1980 Christmas with Osmonds that features all seven of the singers.

Not as well known, but equally talented are a Tongan-American family band from Minnesota. The Jets were composed of siblings LeRoy, Eddie, Eugene, Haini, Rudy, Kathi, Elizabeth, and Moana Wolfgramm. They started performing as a family band in 1977.

This is a recording from 1986. Christmas In My Heart – The Jets

We are family! Wraps us up in 1971 disco/R&B era with Joni, Kim, Debbie, and Kathy Sledge. Like other ‘sister’ groups they went from singing in church in their youth, to performing throughout their home state and worldwide, earning Grammy nominations and awards.

The Sister Sledge legend continues with the addition of another generation through Sledgendary.

2024, Silent Night/Jesus is King – Sister Sledge ft. Sledgendary

And this makes our family bonding games look less impressive. Yet they are not ineffective, for in each of our families, we sing our own kind of music.

The post DECEMBER 15-21: “The Family Is Central to the Creator’s Plan” PART 1 appeared first on Follow Him through Music.

Come Follow Me Articles of Faith & Official Declarations

Article of Faith #1: “We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.”

In this belief, we find ourselves in good company.

We Believe – Newsboys

Article of Faith #3: “We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved . . .”

All may be saved! That’s a high percentage. We are saved every day in our struggles as we turn to Christ.

There Was Jesus – Zach Williams and Dolly Parton

“. . . by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.”

Then because we are saved, because we are Christ’s people we engage in good works and ordinances such as baptism that declare that we are His. Reaching from a solid foundation, our works not only prove to bless ourselves, but lift others also.

Savior of My Soul – Strive to Be Music

“For every knee will bow and tongue will testify that Jesus is the Christ.”

Believe – Carrie Yost & Jarica Jamison

Just believe.

The post DECEMBER 8-14: “We Believe” Articles of Faith & Official Declarations appeared first on Follow Him through Music.