Before Jesus Christ came into the world, Adam and Eve were commanded:

But of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it; for in the time that thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die. (Abraham 5:13)

Adam and Eve did put forth their hands and partake of the “fruit of that tree” and man fell from immortality and the Garden of Eden into our mortal probation. In previous blogs I have discussed the Garden of Eden and roles of Adam and Eve in the lives of all who descended from them, which is every human being who has ever lived, is alive and will ever live on the face of this earth. It sufficeth me to say that Adam and Eve hold a place of honor, admiration and immense gratitude in my heart.

Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy. (2 Nephi 2:25)

Had Adam and Eve not made the choice they did we would not be here today. But because they did make that choice, all man born to the world from that point forward were caught forever in their sins because no Savior had yet been born to redeem them.

Enter Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, our Lord and Redeemer.

And God saw these souls that they were good, and he stood in the midst of them, and he said: These I will make my rulers; for he stood among those that were spirits, and he saw that they were good; and he said unto me: Abraham, thou art one of them; thou wast chosen before thou wast born.

 

And there stood one among them that was like unto God, and he said unto those who were with him: We will go down, for there is space there, and we will take of these materials, and we will make an earth whereon these may dwell; (Abraham 3:23-24)

And that One who was like unto God was Jesus Christ. Two stepped forward after Heavenly Father presented His plan of salvation, one was chosen and one fell taking a large number of the hosts of heaven with him. (Revelations 12)

From that moment a sacrifice beyond compare was agreed to and Jesus Christ, under the explicit and loving direction of His Father in Heaven, was born into the world in the meridian of time. Thirty years passed before He took up the mantle of godhood and began preaching His Father’s Word.

At the culmination of His great mission where miracle upon miracle was performed, the great and precious truths which had been lost until He taught them again in the synagogues, homes, streets and hills of Israel. Those who had previously been cast aside, those who preached at the pulpit, those who fished in the waters of Galilee, those who carried water from the wells were all taught the gospel of Jesus Christ, His Father’s word.

Then on that night in Gethsemane when Jesus Christ first took upon the weight of all the sins, sorrows and illnesses of all the children of God, no matter where or when they lived it caused even God, the greatest of us all, to bleed from every pore. This painting by artist, Derek Hegsted, shows the moment of greatest despair in the Savior as His robe was drenched in blood and His physical body weakened by the ravages of sin.

Throughout the night as He lived up to His promise to His Father in Heaven and to each of us, wave upon wave of agony was poured out upon Him as He descended below the lowest of us all and paid the price for our redemption. Justice was satisfied and mercy magnified on that night so long ago in a garden of Israel.

Of this astounding and boundless act of godly love Andrew C. Skinner said:

The Atonement of Christ is so great in its effects and so far-reaching in its consequences that it easily qualifies as the most important occurrence in time or in all eternity. Nothing ever has or ever will surpass in its significance. Nothing is greater in the entire universe or in the history of created things than Christ’s Atonement. … “When the prophets speak of an infinite Atonement, they mean just that. Its effects cover all men, the earth itself and all forms of life thereon, and reach out into the endless expanses of eternity.” McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 64) (Andrew C. Skinner, Gethsemane, Deseret Book, Salt Lake City, 2002 11)

This sacrifice beyond compare was, is and ever will be the single most critical and redeeming moment in the history of the children of God.

This article was originally published in February 2008. Minor changes have been made.

Candace

Brigham Young taught:

The second prophet of the restored Church, Brigham Young

This people believe in revelation. This people did believe and do believe that the Lord has spoken from the heavens. They did believe and do believe that God has sent angels to proclaim the everlasting Gospel, according to the testimony of John [see Revelation 14:6–7] (DBY, 38).

 

We often hear it said that the living oracles must be in the Church, in order that the Kingdom of God may be established and prosper on the earth. I will give another version of this sentiment. I say that the living oracles of God, or the Spirit of revelation must be in each and every individual, to know the plan of salvation and keep in the path that leads them to the presence of God (DBY, 38).

 

The Lord is not everywhere in person; but he has his agents speaking and acting for him. His angels, his messengers, his apostles and servants are appointed and authorized to act in his name. And his servants are authorized to counsel and dictate in the greatest and what might be deemed the most trifling matters, to instruct, direct and guide his Saints (DBY, 41).

 

No man can gain influence in this Kingdom, and maintain himself in it, magnify his calling without the power of God being with him. Persons must so live that they can enjoy the light of the Holy Spirit, or they will have no confidence in themselves, in their religion, or in their God, and will sooner or later turn from the faith (DBY, 33).

 

It was asked me by a gentleman how I guided the people by revelation. I teach them to live so that the Spirit of revelation may make plain to them their duty day by day that they are able to guide themselves. To get this revelation it is necessary that the people live so that their spirits are as pure and clean as a piece of blank paper that lies on the desk before the [writer], ready to receive any mark the writer may make upon it (DBY, 41).

 

No earthly argument, no earthly reasoning can open the minds of intelligent beings and show them heavenly things; that can only be done by the Spirit of revelation [see 1 Corinthians 2:9–14] (DBY, 37)(“Chapter 6: The Communication between God and Man,” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young, 41).

Indeed, we not only have the right to answers for our prayers, but we have the right to be inspired, guided and protected by our Father in Heaven.

Elder Richard G. Scott, a former apostle, spoke in length about getting the most of any personal revelation that is received in a CES (Church Educational System) Symposium in 1998. Without going into any great length, and breaking it down to a simple statement, he said that if we write down any personal revelation we receive and then ask if there is more, more will come. His talk detailed this process in detail as well as offering the caution to be humble and teachable.

Taking this advice to heart, I have received the most precious and personal revelation pertaining to my family and myself that I never would have imagined. You must understand that our Father in Heaven waits to hear from each of us. Much as you would call your mother or father now to catch up, re-establish, and strengthen your love and familial connection, our Heavenly Father wishes for you to do the same.

My friends, remember who you are, for you are children of God, beloved of our Father in Heaven and our Savior Jesus Christ. Who you are matters to Heavenly Father. Your happiness or sorrow matter to Jesus Christ. Your life, every minute of every day, is lovingly watched over, rejoiced over, grieved over, and wept over as decisions are made and consequences are met, be they positive or negative.

The first place to start would be to shake off your preconceptions and prejudices, and with a humble and loving heart, kneel and ask: Is Jesus Christ the Messiah? Did He redeem the world? Is He the Son of God? Are you my Heavenly Father? Do you love me? Do you believe in me? Will you help me?

I assure you, the answers will come. Maybe not immediately, maybe a day, week, month, year, or even decades later, but the answer will come and you will clearly remember your question when it does. When you finish praying and listening, write all your thoughts down and then place them in a quiet and safe place where you can turn back to them often.

Your Father in Heaven did not send you to mortality without the means to “call home.” Prayer is that very sacred manner by which we may “call home.” I urge you to do it and do it often. You may be completely surprised by the changes which will take place in your life.

This article was originally published in July 2008. Minor changes have been made. 

Candace

King Benjamin preaching to his people

And they had viewed themselves in their own carnal state, even less than the dust of the earth. And they all cried aloud with one voice, saying: O have mercy, and apply the atoning blood of Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins, and our hearts may be purified; for we believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who created heaven and earth, and all things; who shall come down among the children of men.

 

And it came to pass that after they had spoken these words the Spirit of the Lord came upon them, and they were filled with joy, having received a remission of their sins, and having peace of conscience, because of the exceeding faith which they had in Jesus Christ who should come, according to the words which king Benjamin had spoken unto them.

 

(Mosiah 4:2-3)

I find it very comforting that upon the people’s recognition of their carnal and fallen state, the Holy Ghost, identified as the Spirit of the Lord, immediately responded to them. Now, the interesting thing is that they instantly received a remission of their sins. It’s certainly an example of Godly mercy if I’ve ever seen one!

In applying that to our lives, we see the beauty of Godly mercy anywhere we choose to seek it, so long as it is not in a carnal and fallen place of existence. (Meaning if you’re looking for God, don’t go to unholy places to find Him.)

Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ have exercised all Their efforts to the end of bringing us all home.

Jesus Christ said to the ancient prophet, Moses:

For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. (Moses 1:39)

Whatever Jesus Christ’s goal is, it is also Heavenly Father’s goal, for Jesus Christ does nothing that the Father would not do. Thus, it is safe to assume that anytime we turn to Heavenly Father, we have someone who will always listen and respond. Of course, the level of that response is often contingent upon our worthiness.

If we are prone to drinking, drugs, promiscuity, and the like of equally destructive behaviors, we are not showing God that we are desirous to receive His mercy. Because we qualify for God’s mercy when we sincerely repent, His mercy takes effect if we have made the decision to turn from that lifestyle and seek after Him and His Son, Jesus Christ. Then He stands ready and waiting to assist in every possible way. All you have to do is really try.

This is how Godly mercy works. There is no way we can achieve perfection during mortality. Only Jesus Christ, the literal Son of God, accomplished that task. But the mercy comes into play when we do all that we possibly can to reach Him once again.

Remember when the Savior taught His apostles and disciples to pray?

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

 

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

 

Give us this day our daily bread.

 

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

 

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. (Matthew 6:9-13)

He then goes on to say:

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

 

But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (Matthew 6:14-15)

And this I add to my daily prayers, for the mercy of God does exist simply in the proof we have from the scriptures, which He has given us as a moral and ethical compass. All you have to do is turn from the world, with its bright, shiny things, and reach toward that heavenly light which is Jesus Christ. Then Godly mercy will come into play in your life and you’ll wonder what you ever saw in the world’s offerings.

This post was originally published in March 2008. Minor changes have been made.

Candace

My friends, those are complete and utter lies. Satan is the master deceiver and you must not believe him. His only goal is to destroy and bind you completely so that you will never think to turn back from the darkness. Your Heavenly Father pleads with you to turn back to Him and let Him help you on that path to repentance. Our Savior Jesus Christ willingly paid the price of your mistakes — and because He did so, there is always a path back to Them.

There are two great examples in scriptural history of heinous crimes being committed and the complete transformation of body and spirit which occurred.

Saul of Tarsus

A dramatic change came to Saul when he was on his way to Damascus. Saul had been “breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord” (Acts 9:1). As he was on his way to Damascus, a light from heaven shone about him.

“And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

“And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest” (Acts 9:4–5).

Perhaps Saul’s heart had been softened when the mob cast Stephen out of the city and stoned him and laid their clothes at Saul’s feet. But there was no doubt on the road to Damascus when he heard the voice of the Lord, which said, “I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.”

“And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do” (Acts 9:6).

Paul truly endured to the end.

Saul was blind when he arose and had to be taken to Damascus, where his sight was restored to him and he was baptized. He immediately began to preach. “Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God” (Acts 9:20). Saul, who later became known as Paul, experienced through repentance a change that was total, absolute, complete, and unwavering until his death.

Saul, who stoned Christians, became Paul the Apostle, a man who dedicated his life to God once he’d seen the error of his ways. Without question, I’m certain that once he realized the magnitude of what he’d done, he suffered a great harrowing of his soul as he sought forgiveness for the murders he’d taken part in. Yet his repentance was complete, and forgiveness was granted and redemption found. It could not have been an easy path, but the point is that at the end, our Savior stood waiting to welcome Paul into His arms.

Repentance seems like such a scary thing, when in reality it requires not only forsaking sinful behaviors and action, but loving yourself enough to accept the forgiveness your Savior is offering you. Your Father in Heaven loves you, as does Jesus Christ, far more than you could ever imagine or understand. Yes, Their hearts are saddened when sins are committed, for each sin committed draws you a little further from Them and little closer to the one who would have you drowning in an endless pool of misery — but They are joyful when you repent because it brings you one step closer to Them.

With that, we will move on to our second example of complete, life-changing repentance.

Alma the Younger

Now the sons of Mosiah were numbered among the unbelievers; and also one of the sons of Alma was numbered among them, he being called Alma, after his father; nevertheless, he became a very wicked and an idolatrous man. And he was a man of many words, and did speak much flattery to the people; therefore he led many of the people to do after the manner of his iniquities.

 

And he became a great hinderment to the prosperity of the church of God; stealing away the hearts of the people; causing much dissension among the people; giving a chance for the enemy of God to exercise his power over them.

 

And now it came to pass that while he was going about to destroy the church of God, for he did go about secretly with the sons of Mosiah seeking to destroy the church, and to lead astray the people of the Lord, contrary to the commandments of God, or even the king—

 

And as I said unto you, as they were going about rebelling against God, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto them; and he descended as it were in a cloud; and he spake as it were with a voice of thunder, which caused the earth to shake upon which they stood;

 

And so great was their astonishment, that they fell to the earth, and understood not the words which he spake unto them.

 

Nevertheless he cried again, saying: Alma, arise and stand forth, for why persecutest thou the church of God? For the Lord hath said: This is my church, and I will establish it; and nothing shall overthrow it, save it is the transgression of my people.

 

And again, the angel said: Behold, the Lord hath heard the prayers of his people, and also the prayers of his servant, Alma, who is thy father; for he has prayed with much faith concerning thee that thou mightest be brought to the knowledge of the truth; therefore, for this purpose have I come to convince thee of the power and authority of God, that the prayers of his servants might be answered according to their faith.

 

And now behold, can ye dispute the power of God? For behold, doth not my voice shake the earth? And can ye not also behold me before you? And I am sent from God.

 

Now I say unto thee: Go, and remember the captivity of thy fathers in the land of Helam, and in the land of Nephi; and remember how great things he has done for them; for they were in bondage, and he has delivered them. And now I say unto thee, Alma, go thy way, and seek to destroy the church no more, that their prayers may be answered, and this even if thou wilt of thyself be cast off.

 

And now it came to pass that these were the last words which the angel spake unto Alma, and he departed. (Mosiah 27:8-17)

Now that’s a wakeup call! For two days and two nights Alma lay in a state of stupor, unable to speak or move. He was suffering the tortures of the damned as everything he had done played over and over in his mind. Satan did his best to make sure Alma stayed forever in a state of abject misery. But while this was happening, his father, along with the high priests of the Church, were fasting and praying.

At his darkest moment, Alma remembered his father’s teachings and cried out to Jesus Christ for rescue from this hell. He was freed from Satan’s grasp, regained his strength and ability to speak, and arose a new man. One of the greatest missionaries in the history of the world, Alma the Younger eventually proclaimed:

O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people!

 

Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should repent and come unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth. (Alma 29:1-2)

So as you see, my friends, there is great hope. The Savior will respond to all who cry unto Him. You have only to recognize that you are worthy of forgiveness and then you must forgive yourself. You must shake off those behaviors, turning to the Savior for strength if you cannot accomplish that.

What I would have you remember, above all else, is that there is hope. You must never believe the lies being told to you or the ones running through your head. You made a mistake; now it is time to rectify it and receive that great peace of mind and heart through the repentance that our Savior made possible.

This article was originally published in July 2008. Minor changes have been made.

Candace

In an interaction with Mary and Martha, the Savior taught us a valuable lesson:

38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

 

39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.

 

40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.

 

41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

 

42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. (Luke 10:38-42)

The Lord is not encouraging Mary and Martha to eschew all their responsibilities and duties, but is reminding Martha that there is a time to stop and listen; a time to fill the well within. Mary chose to sit at the feet of her Savior and listen rather than clean and cook.

How should we apply this in our day? Several years ago, I was stretched to the limit. I worked full-time, had just suffered another miscarriage, was the Young Women president, a new wife, and essentially a mother to a teenage boy (my husband’s youngest brother.) Stressed beyond all belief, I no longer had time for the things I enjoyed: no gardening, no cross-stitching, no reading, no movies, no dates with my husband, no football games, no trips to the temple. It was all about work, home, and church—that was it.

At one point, I came home from work and kissed my husband goodbye as he left for his own job. I walked upstairs to the kitchen table and sat down… And stayed there. Five minutes later, my husband walked back through the door. Surprised, I looked down at him.

“The Spirit whispered to me to return home and give you the blessing you need,” he told me. He promptly walked up the stairs, laid his hands on my head, and, through the power of the Holy Melchizedek priesthood he held, offered me the blessing the Lord had in mind.

Specifically, I was told that I had to take time for myself. I had to make time for gardening, for cross-stitching, for football games, for temple attendance — all the things that gave me joy. The Lord said that I was of little use to Him if I was so strung out that I couldn’t accomplish anything with any of my responsibilities. He reminded me that balance in all things is required and that above all, my happiness was critical to Him.

This taught me a powerful lesson: We must take the time to pause and fill the well within. Should you abandon your family on a daily basis to fill the well? No, of course not. But take time to drive up the canyon and visit your favorite spot in the mountains. Take time to go to lunch with family or friends. Take time to go on a weekly date with your spouse. Take time to do that which fills your spirit — for when your spirit is filled, the Savior can do so much more with you.

So be as Mary of old: kneel at the feet of the Savior and let yourself be fed. And also be as Martha of old, keeping to your responsibilities — but not so much so that all that brightens your life is strangled out of it.

This article was originally published in October 2007. Minor changes have been made.

Candace

By this point in Jewish history, it was firmly entrenched in their minds that the Messiah would come as a great and powerful king who would free them permanently from their captors. He took on the attributes of great generals in history and it was cemented in Jewish minds that He would restore the Davidic royal line and take His rightful place on the throne.

Jesus Christ, descendant of King David and rightful heir to this mortal throne, came into the world in a meek and lowly manner. The God of heaven and earth was born in a stable and laid in a manger, for this was all His earthly father, Joseph, could provide for his wife as she delivered into the world the prophesied Messiah.

But this Messiah, Jesus Christ, came into the world to redeem us from the fall of Adam, not to free the Jews from — that wouldn’t come for several thousands of years, and even is still a greatly awaited event by Jew and Christian alike. He came as the Messiah, even the Lord and Redeemer, to redeem our spirits and to break the bands of death. And this He did.

“While teaching the multitudes in the temple (see Matthew 23:37–39). As Jesus preached in Jerusalem during the final week of His mortal ministry, He publicly lamented the fate of the city’s inhabitants who would not believe in Him. He told them He would return to Jerusalem in glory with His angels and said, “Ye shall not see me henceforth and know that I am he of whom it is written by the prophets until ye shall say: Blessed is he who cometh in the name of the Lord” (JS—Matthew 1:1), thus fulfilling the messianic words of Psalm 118:26” (Jonathan H. Stephenson, “‘I Am He’,” Ensign, Apr 1999, 7).

And though He fulfilled the law of Moses, was born into the world as prophesied, performed miracle after miracle, confounded the learned and delighted the unlearned with His wisdom and knowledge of the Kingdom of God, still billions do not accept Him as their Savior.

And yet, to this day, millions DO accept Him as the Son of God, acknowledging His divinity. And although He is the Messiah of every man, woman and child, again, many do not recognize Him as such. Interestingly, this does make this truth any less so.

I testify to you that Jesus Christ came at the meridian of time as the promised and foretold Messiah, delivering us from the bondage of sin and death. Because of His great and loving sacrifice, we have hope for an eternal reward. Without Him, we would have lived forever in sin and been silent in the grave. Only through His Atonement and Resurrection did the plan of salvation become complete. Through Him and only through Him will redemption be found as well as that eternal happiness we all long for which is within our grasp if we accept Him as our Lord and Savior and take the hand He has outstretched to us.

He will, I testify, return in glory and power. First will come the foretold heavenly sign, coming east to west, and then Jesus Christ will return as the God of Heaven and Earth and His millennial reign will begin.

This is a day I long for and anxiously await. For though I have far to go in my quest for perfection, I grow weary of the pervasiveness of wickedness in this world. I, for one, will shout with joy when He returns, the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

This article was originally published in February 2008. Minor changes have been made.

Candace

Tragedy after tragedy strikes and yet some people still get up every single morning and keep moving forward. How do they that? How can they pick up the broken pieces of their lives and keep putting one foot in front of the other? It is because Jesus Christ is not some made-up ethereal being. He isn’t just some random person who lived and died 2000+ years ago. He is the real and living God, the “Great Jehovah of the Old Testament, the Messiah of the New.” Because He is real, I believe His message and the hope He offers.

Our Savior descended from on high that He might not only restore the fulness of the gospel, but to endure the Atonement. He suffered on our behalf, freeing us from an eternity of sin and pain, then broke the bands of death with His Resurrection. There is a peace that comes with this knowledge regardless of the trials life throws at you.

The loss of a loved one tears at the very fabric of a family, and yet with that sorrow comes the peace of understanding that mortality is but a brief moment in time, and that the eternities await. In those eternities, if we have sought truth and have striven to live by its precepts, we will be reunited with those we love.

“Eternal life is the phrase used in scripture to define the quality of life that our Eternal Father lives. The Lord declared, “This is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39). Immortality is to live forever as a resurrected being. Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, everyone will receive this gift. Eternal life, or exaltation, is to live in God’s presence and to continue as families (see D&C 131:1–4). Like immortality, this gift is made possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. However, to inherit eternal life requires our “obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel” (Articles of Faith 1:3) (LDS.org Gospel Topics, “Eternal Life“).

This is more than vain hope. It is more than a childhood wish. It is truth in its purest form. With this truth comes the knowledge that great joy awaits us if we can but endure to the end.

Yes, I have fallen to my knees in pain and sorrow and wept to my Heavenly Father, begging for release from the pain.

Yes, my faith has been shaken on occasion.

Yes, I have cried unto my God when it seemed I had not the strength to continue.

In the darkest of nights, when my spirit drooped low, it was at that moment, with tears coursing down my face, that I knew my God lived. I knew Jesus Christ had bled from every pore to pay for my sins, my sorrow, my grief… And that because He did, I was able to shake off that sorrow, lift my head, and stand tall.

This is not a knowledge I can give you, but something you must seek after yourself. I testify that Jesus is the Christ, the Everliving God, and through Him—and only through Him—may relief from the pain of life be found. Only through Him and His teachings will you find the principles, practices, and precepts that will lead you ever closer to perfection. And in your deficit of perfection, if you testify of Him, live for Him, teach of Him, and preach of Him, He will reach down with a loving, scarred hand to lift you up.

Truth is testified of in so many ways. But as the warmth of that knowledge infuses my body and spirit, there is a certainty in my heart: there is Hope and His name is Jesus Christ.

This post was originally published in May 2008. Minor changes have been made.

Candace

Happiness is knowing that my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, paid for my sins, sorrows, griefs and illnesses, and died for me that I might live again.

Happiness is knowing there is a living prophet of God on the earth, President Russell M. Nelson.

Happiness is finding the answer to my gospel questions within the words of the scriptures and modern prophets and apostles.

Happiness is sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ and seeing the light of understanding brighten the eyes of one just beginning to learn.

Happiness is knowing that my family unit is an eternal one. Although my father passed away in March and we all miss him terribly, I know that we will be with him again.

Happiness is the camaraderie and friendship I have found within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Happiness is knowing I can turn to my Father in Heaven in prayer about anything I need further light and knowledge on, knowing that He always hears and answers prayers.

Happiness is finding a scripture, such as Alma 32:23, that speaks so deeply to your heart your step is lighter and your path brighter.

“And now, he imparteth his word by angels unto men, yea, not only men but women also. Now this is not all; little children do have words given unto them many times, which confound the wise and the learned.

Happiness is knowing that there is no one the Father will not answer. The Lord will always show the way when asked in sincere, honest prayer. Yes, this is happiness.

Happiness is the technology which allows me to search the scriptures and modern revelation and counsel with the simple tapping of keys on a keyboard.

Happiness is the freedom to attend church on a weekly basis without fear of government troops or hatred robbing me of this precious right.

Happiness is living in a nation where the free practice of religion allows me to worship according to the dictates of my own conscience.

 Happiness is being a follower of Jesus Christ. I will forever testify of His life, His mission and His divinity.

Happiness is being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

This article was originally published in October 2007. Minor changes have been made for consistency and timeliness.

Candace

A particular story I recall was when Parley was staying at a hotel on one of his many journeys. A man, particularly . There was silence for a moment and then he heard, “Lord, poor Parley is worn out. Good night.”

I still giggle every time I think of that story.

One of the most articulate apostles of that day, the Lord chose well in Parley P. Pratt. He read the Book of Mormon in a single night and determined that it was true and set out to find the church. Elder Pratt joined the church in October of 1830, baptized by Oliver Cowdrey. From that day forward he was a valiant and steadfast missionary for the Lord.

The words he wrote in a letter, while in Richmond Jail, are forever imprinted in my memory,

Letter from Richmond Jail

“In one of those tedious nights we had lain as if in sleep, till the hour of midnight has passed, and our ears and hearts had been pained, while we had listened for hours to the obscene jests, the horrid oaths, the dreadful blasphemies, and filthy language of our guards, Col. Price at their head, as they recounted to each other their deeds of rapine, murder, robbery, etc., which they had committed among the “Mormons,” while at Far West, and vicinity. They even boasted of defiling by force, wives, daughters, and virgins, and of shooting or dashing out the brains of men, women, and children.

 

“I had listened till I became so disgusted, shocked, horrified, and so filled with the spirit of indignant justice, that I could scarcely refrain from rising upon my feet and rebuking the guards, but had said nothing to Joseph, or any one else, although I lay next to him and knew he was awake.

 

On a sudden he arose to his feet, and spoke in a voice of thunder, or as the roaring lion, uttering, as near as I can recollect, the following words:
 

“SILENCE—Ye fiends of the infernal pit. In the name of Jesus Christ I rebuke you, and command you to be still; I will not live another minute, and hear such language. Cease such talk, or you or I die THIS MINUTE.”
 

“He ceased to speak. He stood erect in terrible majesty. Chained, and without a weapon,–calm, unruffled and dignified as an angel, he looked down upon the quailing guards, whose weapons were lowed or dropped to the ground; whose knees smote together, and who, shrinking into a corner, or crouching at his feet, begged his pardon, and remained quiet till a change of guards.

 

“I have seen the ministers of justice, clothed in magisterial robes, and criminals arraigned before them, while life was suspended upon a breath, in the courts of England; I have witnessed a Congress in solemn session to give laws to nations;

 

I have tried to conceive of kings, of royal courts, of thrones, and crowns; and of emperors assembled to decide the fate of kingdoms, but dignity and majesty have I seen but once, as it stood in chains at midnight, in a dungeon, in an obscure village of Missouri.” — [Deseret News, Nov. 12, 1853] [Journal History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Nov. 7, 1853, 1]

A more vibrant, powerful image of the prophet has yet to be painted in my mind. For these were men of God, not given to salacious or unbecoming behavior, listening to evil men cackle about their foul deeds committed upon the innocent.

Service

Young Parley P Pratt read the Book of Mormon in a single night.

Parley P. Pratt lived out his life in service of Jesus Christ and His church. He never faltered, he never failed. A strong speaker at general conferences, his words inspired the Saints to action. Elder Pratt lived during the early days of the church. He suffered the atrocities, the unjust imprisonments, driven from state to state and finally out of country, just as every other Latter-day Saint at the time.

He carved, along with the rest of the Saints, Salt Lake City out of the desert, building a haven for the Saints deep within the valleys of the Rocky Mountains and a temple unto the Lord.

He served countless missions without complaint converting many who later became leaders of the church, including President John Taylor, the third president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mary Fielding who married Hyrum Smith and whose son President Joseph F. Smith and grandson, Joseph Fielding Smith, were called to be prophets as well.

On May 14, 1857 Elder Pratt “fell a noble martyr for the cause of truth which he had advocated with such untiring perseverance for nearly twenty seven years. His last great and magnanimous act, in trying to rescue helpless innocence from the fury of her savage persecutors, will be handed down to unborn generations, as an imperishable monument to his praise; while his wicked brutal murderers, and all that gave countenance to the diabolical deed shall gnaw their tongues for pain, and perish, and be forgotten. Millennial Star – 1857

Candace

Today, as my husband and I were driving home from the gym, I heard Rush Limbaugh ask his listeners to think of the things about America that made us proud. I’ve had time to contemplate on that throughout the afternoon.

My father, Fritz, was born in Amsterdam and was four years old when Hitler’s armies filled the skies and streets of Holland. He remembers, at four years of age, awakening to the sounds of the bombers overhead and soldiers goose-stepping through the cobblestone streets. There began year after year of unmitigated hell in my father’s life.

He vividly recalled the lines for food, hours upon hours of waiting to receive one egg for the month to feed their little family. He recalled the need for a permit from the Nazis to travel from one block to the next.

His nightmares are filled with the Nazis piling out of their trucks lining up all the men and boys in the neighborhood and gunning them down. After meting out unspeakable horror upon the Dutch, the Nazis would pile back into their trucks and speed away.

And yet another memory took him back to his mother fighting hand-to-hand combat with her Dutch neighbors to get to their top floor apartment.

All these things were spoken of many times in the last years of my father’s life. My parents instilled in me a deep and abiding love of America as well as the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of being a citizen of this country.

America is constantly entrenched in and divided by politics. In Proverbs 29:2 we read:

When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

My parents taught me wisdom, gave me knowledge and encouraged me to seek out more. They instilled courage deep within my soul and molded me into the woman I have become today. It is with these qualities I make an informed (and hopefully wise) decision when elections come and I exercise my civic duty and privilege of voting.

There are many negative comments continuously coming forth about America, which brings me back to the beginning—what is it about this country of which I am so proud.

Number One: I deeply enjoy the political process established by the Founding Fathers of America that allows one voice to be heard and counted.

Number Two: I enjoy the privilege of being able to express my opinions freely without fear of retribution or death from my government.

Number Three: I enjoy the right to pursue my dreams and work at any job I desire.

Number Four: I love the peaceful transfer of power every four years, a powerful example to the world.

Number Five: I love that America was the launching place of the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as it was established at the meridian of time by the Savior Himself.

Number Six: I adore the fact that no one, let alone my government, tells me how many children I may have.

Number Seven: I love that I can travel anywhere within the United States without the need to report to each city and state my whereabouts.

Number Eight: I love that we prosper as a nation and share with the world our bounty, strength and courage . . . although it is not as appreciated as I believe it should be.

Number Eight: I love that we value life, no matter what race, creed or culture.

To read the text of the Declaration of Independence, click here.

We may not be a nation of perfect people, but we espouse these beliefs and I hold them dear.

On July 4th of 1776, the 13 colonies of America gathered together and these words were written:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. (The Declaration of Independence)

This is the core of what America is about. And it was in this climate in 1805 when the prophet of the restoration, Joseph Smith, Jr., was born into the world. As the religious furor grew great, Joseph sought after and found the truth when God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him.

It was only in a free nation that the Gospel of Jesus Christ could be restored. And it was in this free country where man retained the right to worship according to the dictates of his conscience that this gospel took root and flourished spreading across the world to over 16,000,000 members.

My father knew the difference between a complete lack of freedom and the freedoms we enjoy in America. He was the fiercest patriot this nation has ever seen. He has now shuffled off this mortal coil and passed the torch of freedom and righteousness to his children. I have picked up that torch and am politically involved, religiously devoted to my God and my family, and loyal to my country. I avail myself constantly of the freedoms of this nation as I fight to protect them.

I am my father’s daughter and could not be more proud of that fact. So yes, Rush, I love my country, with all her growing pains, weaknesses and imperfections. Because this is still the land where the gospel was able to grow, dreams were fought for and achieved, and a country established on the basic principles and rights given by God to every human being on the earth. It is in America that we continue to fight for those rights.

As have the men and women who sacrificed their all to bring us this nation, I have dedicated my life to God and my country—the legacy given to me by my parents.

Candace