The Mormon Channel
Filed under: Internet, Recommended Sites, Reviews of Church Related Sites and Blogs, Technology and the LDS Home, The Internet for the LDS Teen
The Mormon Channel is a new around-the-clock radio station from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sometimes called Mormons. This is an official station currently available on the Internet and on HDRadio in areas that carry Bonneville broadcasts. An I-Phone app is also in the approval process. Podcasts are available for download. Read more
Learning About Mormons Online
Filed under: Reviews of Church Related Sites and Blogs
The Internet makes it easier than ever to learn about Mormons and the Mormons are working hard to give you many different ways to learn about them. There are a variety of official sources to explore, but there are even more unofficial sources.
First, let’s talk about the official sources. The church has a website just for people who aren’t Mormon. It’s called Mormon.org, and it can help you find answers to the types of questions people ask themselves about God and religion. It offers answers to the three most important questions people have today: Who am I? Why am I here? What happens when I die? You can also explore the Mormon relationship with Jesus Christ, watch videos of real Mormons telling their own stories and God and religion, chat online with a missionary, order free LDS media, including a Book of Mormon, or ask to have a missionary visit your home. The site allows you to explore the faith with whatever level of commitment you choose.
Do you wonder what the Mormons tell their own members? You can visit the website the church created for its members and get a look at the church as the Mormons see it. The official Mormon website is LDS.org You’ll find the actual lesson manuals used in our classes there, free to read. You can also read all the church magazines free, as well as the Book of Mormon and the Bible. You don’t have to register, so just dive in and see what it is we really do and teach.
There are smaller official websites that delve into very specific topics. For instance, you can visit JesusChrist.lds.org to learn in detail what the Mormons believe about Jesus. On this site, you’ll find paintings, articles, information about the Savior’s life and teachings, and testimonies. There is even a multimedia section with videos focused on the Savior. These smaller websites help you to focus on the subjects you care about the most.
Unofficially, there are also many ways to find out what ordinary Mormons think about their religion. You’ll find a huge variety of opinions there, and of course, since they’re just ordinary people, they don’t always get their facts right, but it’s a good way to get to know real Mormons. You’ll gain insights into why they think as they do, how their faith affects their actions, and why they are Mormons in the first place. This website, LDSblogs.com, is an unofficial one, written by ordinary Mormons sharing what they believe. The church has encouraged its members to talk about the church online, so if you like your information unofficial and uncensored, check out some Mormon blogs and websites. But then go to the official site to double-check the facts, if you’re after facts.
A good place to meet ordinary, thinking Mormons is LDS.net. This site has forums, testimonies, and other places to interact with Mormons. Many who aren’t LDS, or who are exploring Mormonism seriously, are on the site, so you won’t be the only person in your situation. It isn’t a debate site, and the rules are strict, but for the serious seeker of information, this is a great place to meet Mormons.
Lift Up Your Voice!
Missionary work is important in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (also known as the Mormon Church). As members of the Church, we take literally the words of the Savior, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” (Mathew 28: 19)
We make solemn and sacred covenants with our Heavenly Father. These sacred promises that we make with God include sharing the gospel of Christ with everyone that will listen. Alma, a prophet of the Book of Mormon, taught his people about covenants:
And it came to pass after many days there were a goodly number gathered together at the place of Mormon, to hear the words of Alma.
Yea, all were gathered together that believed on his word, to hear him. And he did teach them, and did preach unto them repentance, and redemption, and faith on the Lord.
And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;
Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in,(emphasis added) even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life. (Mosiah 18:7-9)
Stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places! This sacred charge is why Mormons are so dedicated to sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. Today, one of the “places” that has need of those who stand up as witnesses of God, a need for voices that are lifted up to Christ, is the Internet.
The following sites are wonderful examples of voices that are dedicated to sharing our faith in Jesus Christ.
Reflections of Christ – This beautiful photography exhibit focused completely on Jesus Christ is a collaboration led by photographer, Mark Mabry. The images are absolutely stunning. The accompanying music is moving and inspiring. Reflections of Christ is a traveling fine art photography exhibit so be sure to check the Events link for location information. Check out a review of this wonderful exhibit by Jeff Lindsay, a prominent LDS blogger who was fortunate enough to see the exhibit on a visit to Arizona.
Mormon Women – This awesome site is managed by a great group of Mormon women. This blog provides an avenue for discussions about their faith and experiences. As the name suggests, the focus is primarily on womanhood so tune in for honest thoughts on what it means to be a woman in the Church today. Parts of the site is still under construction so check back often. This is a wonderful resource for women in the Church and others who have questions about us.
Temple Study – Bryce Hammond is the owner and editor of this unique site. Bryce said this site is “inspired by and dedicated to the exemplary LDS (Mormon) scholar Dr. Hugh Nibley, whose landmark temple studies have strengthened the faith of many.” Bryce lists as his credentials a strong and abiding testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, and it really shows. If his latest entry on Stonehenge is any indication, we have a lot to look forward to from Bryce.
Truth is Restored - Rusty Curtis addresses a lot of questions and misconceptions that are prevalent about the Church in his blog. Be sure to check out Rusty’s powerful testimony of his conversion as well.
Thoughts of a Seeker – This blog by David Stoker is an exploration of two time periods, “the most ancient times possible and the time of Early Christianity in the first century.” David’s firm belief in the Restored Gospel came after in-depth personal study of the Scriptures. His story of personal conversion and his goals for this blog are truly that of a seeker – one who is continually searching for knowledge with faith. David lists a number of important questions that he feels are significant to any serious seeker of truth.
LDS Women’s History – Erin’s blog is dedicated to telling the story of the many amazing women of the Church. Erin has researched, compiled, and presented inspiring histories on a number of women who sacrificed much in the early days of the Church. I hope she continues with this great project as I look forward to reading about other great women in the Church, both past and present.
Jesus Christ, The Son of God – a new LDS web site
Filed under: Reviews of Church Related Sites and Blogs
“With all my heart and the fervency of my soul, I lift up my voice in testimony as a special witness and declare that God does live. Jesus is His Son, the Only Begotten of the Father in the flesh. He is our Redeemer; He is our Mediator with the Father. He it was who died on the cross to atone for our sins. He became the firstfruits of the Resurrection. Because He died, all shall live again. ‘Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives: “I know that my Redeemer lives!” ’ May the whole world know it and live by that knowledge, I humbly pray, in the name of Jesus Christ, the Lord and Savior, amen.” (President Thomas S. Monson, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (informally known as the Mormons) has just launched a great new web site Jesus Christ, The Son of God. This beautiful new site focuses on the teachings of our Savior and his Atonement. The primary message of this new site is clear – Come unto Christ.
During His mortal ministry, Jesus taught the principles of salvation. He atoned for our sins. He showed us how to live a life that would merit the gift of eternal life. And when He died, He rose again—so that all of us could live again. (His Life and Teachings)
The web site offers exciting features including the option to read and listen to teachings about the Savior. One of my favorite features is the Multimedia section. This section contains two films, “Faith in Christ,” and “The Restoration.” It also includes the 2007 First Presidency Christmas Devotional.
Back in April 2000, the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles released a special video presentation to commemorate the birth of Christ. It was called “Special Witnesses of Christ.” The video featured the late President Gordon B. Hinckley, President Thomas S. Monson, the late President James E. Faust, and several members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles bearing testimonies of the divinity and ministry of our Lord, Jesus Christ. A portion of that video presentation has been made available on this new site. To hear these powerful testimonies, click on Special Witnesses of Christ.
If you are interested, the text of the original video presentation, Special Witnesses of Christ, is also available in the April 2001 Ensign, a monthly magazine of the Church.
He Lives: The Witness of Latter-day Prophets contains the testimonies of all modern day Mormon prophets starting with Joseph Smith. The prophets testify about their love of the Savior, their complete faith and belief in Him, and that we follow and worship Him. He is at the head of His Restored Church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
I love Him. I speak the name of Jesus Christ in reverence and wonder. He is our King, our Lord, our Master, the living Christ, who stands on the right hand of His Father. He lives! He lives, resplendent and wonderful, the living Son of the living God. (President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910-2008)
February’s Treasures
Filed under: Reviews of Church Related Sites and Blogs
So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. (John 21:15-17)
At least twice a month, we are honored to have special guests in our home for dinner. These dear guests, our Mormon missionaries, are truly among the best young men I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing. Mormon missionaries pay for their own missions, including food and lodging. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the areas where they serve are under no obligation to feed missionaries but most of us feel it is a blessing to be able to do so.
As I sit across our dining room table from these young men, I can’t help but marvel at their faith and courage. You see, often times, they are met with harsh words and ridicule or worse. Yet, morning after morning, they get up and are back out again preaching and sharing the word of God. These young missionaries understand the importance and sacredness of their work. They know that when Jesus asked Simon Peter to “feed my sheep” he was speaking to all of us. Each night at the end of our meal, these young Mormon missionaries thank us for our kindness to them and offer us a gift. This gift, their testimonies of Jesus Christ, inspires me more than they realize.
This month I want to share a few more Church related sites with you. It was obvious from reviewing the information available that the individuals responsible for these sites desired to share the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with everyone. This is their way of heeding the Lord’s commandment to “feed my sheep.”
Book Of Mormon Online.net – KC Kern, the creator and webmaster of this exciting new resource is a student at Brigham Young University. He also served a fulltime mission for the Mormon Church in Seoul, Korea. Kern’s vision was to present the stories of the Book of Mormon in “reader-friendly segments arranged in primarily chronological format, supplemented with summaries of each segment, divided by headings and pages that reveal the text’s full context.” I think he has succeeded magnificently in achieving this goal. If you’ve been given a Book of Mormon and have just not been able to get through it, I strongly urge you to try this resource. While a couple of sections are still under construction, the bulk of the site is ready for use.
About Mormons – This site was started in 1996 by W. John Walsh and Jenny Scoville Walsh and was originally named All About Mormons. This resource is one of the first that responded to the need for information about the Church online. In fact, the site was literally created to fill the void that existed at the time on the Internet. John and Jenny Walsh felt that the best way to answer the many questions they were receiving about the Church was to have a source of LDS teachings available online. The site continues to provide relevant information about the Church. It includes information on Mormon beliefs, Church history, Missionary work, and even a FAQ section.
Mormon Historic Sites Registry – If you’ve always wanted information on sites and places that are important in the history of the Mormon religion, this is the place to start. The purpose of this site is to “create a comprehensive resource of historic sites located throughout the world with historical information, personal accounts, multimedia, and visitor information.” A wealth of information is available here including references for additional reading and study. My favorite feature is the inclusion of personal accounts from people who were witnesses to the events that took place in these sites. New sites are added each week so be sure to check it often. Some links aren’t quite ready yet, but should be “coming soon.” I’m really looking forward to information about important international sites so I will definitely bookmark this site.
The Mormon Way Of Doing Business – This short video presentation is based on the book of the same title by Jeff Benedict. It highlights the lives and accomplishments of several CEOs of some of America’s most successful and high profile companies. These CEOs have one other thing in common – they are all faithful Mormons who practice and live their religion. The video features these individuals talking about their achievements in their respective fields viewed through the unique lens of a Mormon husband, father, and a servant of God.
The Joy Within Me
“I have it. Why not share it? Why not share it with my brother? See the joy within me shine in someone else’s eyes. I know it and I love it. Why not share it with my brother? See the joy within me shine in someone else’s eyes.” (Written by Susan E. McCloud and Denny Crockett)
I learned and sang this song a very long time ago as a young woman. Somehow the words have stayed with me throughout all these years and every now and then I find myself humming the tune. Nowadays, when this song pops into my head I often pause and ask myself if I’m sharing the joy I feel with a brother or a sister. You see, the song talks about the joy that faithful members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (or Mormons) feel in their hearts. It talks about the happiness that we experience in our lives when we become truly converted to our Savior Jesus Christ and to his Gospel.
I hope you don’t mind if I speak to you now as if I am speaking to a sister or a brother. Have you ever been so filled with the Spirit that you literally felt like shouting for joy? I do know what that joy feels like. I do have that joy within me every day of my life and I wish with everything in me that you can feel it too. One of the greatest blessings of mortality is the ability to experience joy. We are taught in Nephi 2:25 that “men are that they might have joy.”
Don’t get me wrong. My life isn’t just a series of happy episodes. I have my ups and downs. I have my trials just like everyone else. However, I know that no matter what life throws at me, my Savior stands ready to help me with it. This knowledge gives me hope and faith and allows me to feel joy in my heart regardless of whatever else is going on. I have no doubt whatsoever that I am blessed with such joy in my life because I try with every fiber of my being to live the gospel of Jesus Christ. Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said it best; “Fully understood and embraced, the gospel of Jesus Christ heals broken hearts, infuses meaning into lives, binds loved ones together with ties that transcend mortality, and brings to life a sublime joy.”
Most faithful members of the Church feel as I do. We feel blessed to have the Gospel in our lives. I invite you to visit these other online resources for additional information about the Church. Many of these sites and blogs address different questions about the Church so feel free to browse them. You can also submit any questions you might have if you don’t see them addressed in the forums yet. If you are looking for the offical Church sites, please visit lds.org and mormon.org
LDS.NET – This great site has several wonderful features including video testimonies by other converts, and blogs by several members of the Church from different walks of life. This new site also incorporates two popular LDS sites – LDS Forums and LDS Talks.
Mormon Underwear – Let’s face it, you’ve heard of them and I’ve heard what’s been said about them so you might as well get the correct information about them. Incidentally, we call them garments and not Mormon underwear and they are very sacred to us.
All About Mormons – This wonderful site is the work of one member who addresses many questions and misconceptions about the Church. Be sure to check out the many LDS related videos that are available on this site.
Donny.com – Well-known entertainer Donny Osmond is known for his talent as well as for the fact that he is a Mormon. Donny answers many questions that are often put to him by people all over the world right here.
LDS Public Affairs – There are 20 videos in this collection of YouTube videos sponsored by LDS Public Affairs. Some feature Elder M. Russell Ballard discussing key beliefs of the Church. Other videos feature converts talking about their conversion to the Church and one features Steve Young (former NFL quarterback) responding to common questions about Mormons.
January’s Treasures
The 13th Article of Faith of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (also known as the Mormon Church) reads:
We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.
The 13 Articles of Faith is a list of key beliefs of the Church. They are sacred principles that faithful Mormons everywhere try to live their lives by. If you would like to learn more about these key beliefs of our Mormon Religion, I invite you to read Candace Salima’s post on the 13 Articles of Faith here at ldsblogs.
I’d like to call your attention to the last part of the 13th Article of Faith; “…If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.” I can’t think of anything more worthwhile or beautiful than to spend my life seeking after virtuous things. Who wouldn’t want to strive for that? In a world that seems to be steeped in every imaginable sin and abomination, this bold and sacred statement reminds all of us that we should be constantly seeking that which is of the Lord, that which is good, virtuous, and praiseworthy.
This statement applies to all aspects of our lives including the way we use technology and the Internet. “…If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.” We all know that there is so much filth on the Internet today. We also know that there are many who have taken it upon themselves to use the Internet to mislead others and to attack that which is good and virtuous. I’m referring of course to those whose venomous attacks on the Mormon Church appear to reach a higher pitch with each new day. If you are sincere about your desire to learn more about the Mormon Church, I beseech you to study it out for yourself without the strident voices of the anti-Mormons that are prevalent on the Internet.
Even if you don’t have time to read any other Church publication, I hope that you will still take a few minutes to read the 13 Articles of Faith. It is quite brief and to the point. The very first Article of Faith states quite simply that “We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.” Remember to visit the official sites of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for the most accurate information about the Church.
There are many other online resources such as blogs and sites owned by faithful members of the Church. A few of those blogs are listed below. For other sites and blogs already featured in previous posts please follow these links; December’s Treasures, November’s Treasures and More LDS Related Blogs.
Meet Mormon Missionaries – You’ve probably seen Mormon missionaries around but you don’t know much about them. This site will answer some of the questions that you may have about missionaries.
Rough Stone Rolling – This is a fairly new blog by David who lives in California. David is a convert and a return missionary. Be sure to check out David’s powerful testimony of his conversion.
Faith in Christ -This is another wonderful resource for those who are interested in studying the Book of Mormon. Reid Bankhead, a former BYU instrutor of Religious Studies, and a group of former missionaries who served in the Cumorah Mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints developed this methodology for studying the Teachings of Christ contained in the Book of Mormon.
More Good Foundation – This organization is committed to bringing the Gospel of Jesus Christ as lived by faithful members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to all who are sincerely looking for the truth.
December’s Treasures
Filed under: Reviews of Church Related Sites and Blogs
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. (Mathew 7:7)
This scriptural promise is repeated more than any other in all of scripture. Obviously, this promise is of great importance to the Lord. So it should be for all of us who are seeking to strengthen our faith and testimony of Christ. The promise is simple yet profound. It spells out exactly what we should do if our souls are hungering for faith and truth. If we will ask, seek, and knock with unwavering faith, it will be made known to each of us.
The word of God spoken and written by his servants, both modern and ancient, is available to all of us through scriptures and other Church publications. Official Church sites provide the most accurate and reliable information on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or Mormon Church. In addition, there are many other online resources and sites that you can browse. A few of these sites are reviewed below.
Please remember that these sites aren’t owned or maintained the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. However, most of them are sponsored by individuals or groups who are faithful members of the Church. When a site owned and sponsored by the Church is listed, it will be noted as such.
LDS Temples – This excellent site created by Rick Satterfield is dedicated to information about the temples of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Rick is a return missionary who has had a special love and interest in temples from an early age. Information provided on the site includes schedules, maps, interesting facts, photographs, and dedicatory prayer.
MormonConverts.com – The testimonies shared on this site are powerful and inspiring. The purpose of this site is to help those who “are searching for eternal truths; desiring to find peace and happiness in a world filled with hate, war, poverty and seeming injustice, this site will offer hope and an opportunity to find peace.” If you haven’t had a chance to visit a Mormon Temple Open House you won’t want to miss the section on Mormon Temples. An excellent slide presentation complete with beautiful pictures of the temples and uplifting music is included.
BlackLDs.org – This exceptional web site seeks to dispell misinformation about black members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The site includes links to latest news and events, history, priesthood, and testimonies. Renee Olson, one of the three original creators of the site shares a beautiful testimony of her conversion to the gospel.
The Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship – The Institute promotes quality research that supports the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Institute’s extensive research on the Church and the Scriptures is available for browsing on the site. One of my favorite features is the FAQ section. It provides clear answers for both Mormons and anyone else who wants to find out more about Mormon beliefs. The Institute is an entity of Brigham Young University.
Mormon Beliefs – A wonderful site that presents Mormon beliefs in a clear and straightforward manner. Highly recommended for anyone investigating Mormons and the Mormon Church.
November’s Treasures
Since this segment on Reviews of Church Related Sites and Blogs is going to be ongoing and frequent, I thought I’d give it a title other than “Reviews of Church Related …” If nothing else, it will help me distinguish one from the other. Otherwise, if I just title everything “Reviews of Church Related …” I may forget and review the same ones over again. I can be very forgetful at times.
It is also worth repeating that I do apply an informal criteria in selecting which web sites and blogs I review. In other words, I browsed and visited many sites before I picked the ones that I highlight and review each month. There are many sites and blogs worthy of review and I hope to review them all but not all at the same time. If you know of others that I should review, please let me know.
Criteria:
1. The blog or site is Christ centered and discusses gospel principles and practices in a faith promoting manner.
2. The blog or site is updated on a regular basis.
3. The blog or site is well done and is easy to use.
4. The blog’s author or authors and/or their affiliation is clearly identifiable.
Here are November’s Treasures of the Internet for Latter-day Saints and others interested in knowing more about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Forever Families
This website is sponsored by Brigham Young University’s School of Family Life. It is organized around the themes of The Family: A Proclamation to the World. The website is clean and easy to use. It covers topics such as Marriage Preparation, Issues Facing Families, and Stepfamilies and many other timely topics on the different challenges that families today are dealing with.
Ask Gramps
Ask Gramps is a well respected site on the Internet. Gramps says that he “will entertain any question on any subject.” I read many of Gramps responses to different questions and in each case, he answers the questions thoroughly and respectfully. More importantly, his answers are always based on gospel principles. Gramps is a real live grandpa and is a life long student of the Scriptures.
LDS FAQ: Mormon Answers
Jeff Lindsay is another well respected name on the Internet when it comes to LDS related blogs and web sites. In this one Jeff addresses common questions about the Church. His other well-known LDS related blog is called Mormanity. Jeff served a mission in Zurich, Switzerland. He has a Ph.D in Chemical Engineering from BYU. One of my favorite features of his LDS website is the one that he called “My Turn.” Be sure to check this segment out as well as other web sites and blogs by Jeff Lindsay.
LDS Radio Online
I enjoy music tremendously and I was so glad to find something that I can listen to when I work on my computer either at home or on the road. LDS Radio Online is free. Here is information about this wonderful resource from their About Us page:
LDS Radio Online is a non-profit venture with a mission to be able to provide a place on the internet where people can listen to LDS music and be uplifted by them. We have enormously benefited from being able to listen to LDS music at work and at home and we are excited to provide this opportunity for everyone as well. We strongly believe in the power and influence of good music in our lives.
Mormon Testimonies: Why We Believe
A growing collection of testimonies from Latter-day Saints around the globe. Latter-day Saints are invited to share their conversion stories or uplifting experiences on this site. At the time of this post there are 44 testimonies available for viewing. This number will undoubtedly increase so be sure to check often to hear the powerful testimonies of others or to share your own. Mormom Testimonies is sponsored by the More Good Foundation.
Again, I want to reiterate that if you are looking for additional information about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints the best place to start is the Church’s official web sites; www.lds.org and www.mormon.org.
Heavenly Music
Have you ever fought back tears of gratitude while singing a hymn? I have. Have you been lucky enough to feel as if your heart would burst with joy from a song? I have. Have you ever felt the Spirit testify to you about the love of our Heavenly Father for you through a song? I have.
I believe that we’ve all been touched by music at one point or another in our lives. Hopefully we’ve been touched in such a way that our lives (even if it’s for a brief moment) are made better and our burdens are made lighter.
In D&C 25:12 the Lord says “For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads.” President J. Reuben Clark, Jr observed that “we get nearer to the Lord through music than perhaps through any other thing except prayer.”
Music is a big part of my spiritual life. Now that is a bold statement from someone who is really not musically talented at all. Despite this lack of musical ability, I still have a great appreciation and love of music. I sing when I’m happy and I listen to my favorite hymns and songs when I’m sad. I also happen to have the good fortune of being married to an amazingly talented man. One of his talents is music. He has a beautiful voice and he plays the piano.
There have been many times when our date nights have simply been a quiet evening at home either listening to our favorite artists or the two of us singing our favorite hymns while he plays them on the piano. One of us would be singing on key and the other may or may not depending on the song but the result is always the same – our testimonies are strengthened, and our love and commitment to each other is made that much stronger.
We are so blessed to have so many resources from where we can select and obtain inspiring music. In addition to Hymns and the Children’s Songbook we have a large number of talented artists producing beautiful Christ centered music. Speaking of the Children’s Songbook, did you know that there is an online version available? I made this discovery not too long ago myself. This belated discovery is the reason why I decided to write this post.
We’ve always had copies of Hymns and the Children’s Songbook at home and so I never had a reason to look for another version until recently. One of the boxes that apparently got misplaced during our recent move was the one containing our Children’s Songbooks. I was online trying to order another copy when I decided to do a quick check on the Church’s official web site and I was pleasantly surprised when the very thing that I was looking for came up.
The online version of the Hymns and the Children’s Songbook is available for you to print, to download to your MP3 player, or to listen to right on your computer. You can even choose to listen to the music only or to the music with words. Quite an impressive resource! Some songs are not available online due to copyright restrictions but most songs are listed. Other music available on the site includes music that was published in Church magazines, Seminary Music, Young Women Camp Music, and other selected Young Women Music. There is a wealth of information available on this site such as how to teach songs to children, an interactive course on how to conduct music and many more so be sure to check it out. I was also very excited to read that this wonderful site is only going to get better by the addition of more songs in various formats and languages as resources are available.
We have a family tradition that has made a world of difference to our Sunday mornings. Immediately after we get up, either my husband or myself would go downstairs where we keep the family stereo, select a CD from our LDS collection and play it. This practice has made our Sunday mornings extra special because we all feel the Spirit even before we enter the chapel doors to worship each Sunday. Somehow having such music play in the background while we’re all getting ready has made our preparations less frantic. Even our boys feel it too. The music has already been playing for awhile by the time I tell them to get ready and though they are still in bed they’ve also been listening to the music so they get up and get ready without so much as a murmur or having to be told twice.
The Preface to Hymns contains an important message to all of us from the First Presidency. Part of it reads, “…Some of the greatest sermons are preached by the singing of hymns…Hymns move us to repentance and good works, build testimony and faith, comfort the weary, console the mourning, and inspire us to endure to the end. Music has boundless powers for moving families toward greater spirituality and devotion to the gospel. Latter-day Saints should fill their homes with the sound of worthy music…”
I am so thankful for the gift of music in our lives. We may not all have a talent for music but we can still enjoy this wonderful gift in our lives. Music has a way of touching our hearts in a way that nothing else can. I hope that we will all continue to look for ways to bring righteous and inspirational music into our homes.