Have I done any Good in the World today?

These words, "Have I done any good in the world today? Have I helped any one in need?" have been going through my mind lately. It seems to me that when I need to remember something or learn something new parts of hymns come to mind.

Here are the words to the song:

1. Have I done any good in the world today?
Have I helped anyone in need?
Have I cheered up the sad and made someone feel glad?
If not, I have failed indeed.
Has anyone’s burden been lighter today
Because I was willing to share?
Have the sick and the weary been helped on their way?
When they needed my help was I there?

[Chorus]
Then wake up and do something more
Than dream of your mansion above.
Doing good is a pleasure, a joy beyond measure,
A blessing of duty and love.

2. There are chances for work all around just now,
Opportunities right in our way.
Do not let them pass by, saying, “Sometime I’ll try,”
But go and do something today.
’Tis noble of man to work and to give;
Love’s labor has merit alone.
Only he who does something helps others to live.
To God each good work will be known.

Text and music: Will L. Thompson, 1847–1909, alt.

Sometimes I realize that I may have helped someone and not even realize that I have helped them. I know there are things that I wish I had more time to be able to do or people I would like to help more. But I have come to realize also that just making a simple phone call, sending a text letting them know that you are mindful of them and that you are there if needed is just what someone needs or can brighten their day.

This version of Have  I done any good in the world today by Alex Boye' and Carmen Rasmussen has become one of my favorite.

 

Make we all search for opportunities everyday to serve someone in need.  We never know who may need us.

Abide with me; Tis Eventide

The Story behind the hymn Abide with Me; 'Tis Eventide:  (found http://www.mormontabernaclechoir.org/articles/abide-with-me-tis-eventide?lang=eng)

 The lyrics and music to the hymn “Abide with Me; ’Tis Eventide” were heavily influenced by the American Civil War. Both the writer of the lyrics, Martin Lowrie Hofford, and the composer of the music, Harrison Millard, held positions in the Union forces and felt the widespread loss and sorrow that the war brought.

In 1863, Millard, a first lieutenant in the 19th New York Regiment, was wounded so badly in the Battle of Chickamauga that he was no longer fit for duty. That same year, Hofford was given charge of a military institute in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The two watched from their respective vantage points as fear spread throughout the country, lives were threatened, and a nation became divided.

That gloomy backdrop may give new insight to the lyrics, “Abide with me, ’tis eventide, and lone will be the night if I cannot commune with Thee, nor find in Thee my light. The darkness of the world, I fear, would in my home abide; Oh, Savior, stay this night with me, Behold, ’tis eventide.”

Jessie Evans would frequently perform “Abide with Me; ’Tis Eventide” as a soloist in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Evans, who would later marry Joseph Fielding Smith, began singing with the Choir at age 15. She possessed a unique contralto voice, which earned her the attention of professional opera companies. After touring professionally for some time she focused her attention on serving in the Church.

After reading this story behind the song and how it came to be really brings a new light to this song. My favorite line has always been, "O Savior, stay this night with me; Behold, 'tis eventide.

How comforting it is to sing or read those words and realize that all I have to do is cry out to my Savior and he will be there with me whenever needed. He will be a comfort and guide through the tough times in my life.

Here are the words to the song:

Abide with me; 'tis eventide.
The day is past and gone;
The shadows of the evening fall;
The night is coming on.
Within my heart a welcome guest,
Within my home abide.

 

[Chorus]
O Savior, stay this night with me;
Behold, 'tis eventide.
O Savior, stay this night with me;
Behold, 'tis eventide.

 

Abide with me; 'tis eventide.
Thy walk today with me
Has made my heart within me burn,
As I communed with thee.
Thy earnest words have filled my soul
And kept me near thy side.

 

[Chorus]
O Savior, stay this night with me;
Behold, 'tis eventide.
O Savior, stay this night with me;
Behold, 'tis eventide.

 

Abide with me; 'tis eventide,
And lone will be the night
If I cannot commune with thee
Nor find in thee my light.
The darkness of the world, I fear,
Would in my home abide.

 

[Chorus]
O Savior, stay this night with me;
Behold, 'tis eventide.
O Savior, stay this night with me;
Behold, 'tis eventide.

 

This is my favorite version of this song from EFY 2004:

 

 

I know and Thankful for!

I know that I am a Daughter of a King
I know that I am truly blessed to have the gospel in my life
I know that I have a Heavenly Father loves me and those around me
I know that He knows me individually, knows what I need and truly is there for me when needed most.
I know that we have a prophet here on earth to help guide us and to know what our Father would have us do.
I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet and was guided by God.
I am thankful for the restored gospel
I am thankful for the Book of Mormon
I am thankful for Temples
I am thankful for my ancestors who have gone before me
I am thankful for those who stepped in and shaped mine and those who helped guide my dad.

I came across this video that helps you to know what the Book of Mormon is about. I don't always know how to best put my feelings or describe what I believe without trying to come across like I am pushing it on those who ask.

If you ever wondered what the Book of Mormon is about please watch this Video. If you have any questions please let me know.

I wonder when He comes again

 

 

I Wonder when He comes again

by

Mirla Greenwood Thayne

 

I wonder, when he comes again,

Will herald angels sing?

Will earth be white with drifted snow,

Or will the world know spring?

I wonder if one star will shine

Far brighter than the rest;

Will daylight stay the whole night through?

Will songbirds leave their nests?

I'm sure he'll call his little ones

Together 'round his knee,

Because he said in days gone by,

"Suffer them to come to me."

 

I wonder, when he comes again,

Will I be ready there

To look upon his loving face

And join with him in prayer?

Each day I'll try to do his will

And let my light so shine

That others seeing me may seek

For greater light divine.

Then, when that blessed day is here,

He'll love me and he'll say,

"You've served me well, my little child;

Come unto my arms to stay."

 

This song has always been one of my favorite primary songs. I love while singing or listening to this song to think about what it truly will be like when our Savior comes again. Another reason this song is one of my favorites is it makes me feel connected to my ancestors who I don't remember ever meeting. My Great Grandma Orrell Greenwood Bateman's sister Mirla Greenwood Thayne wrote this song. Songs always have a powerful message to them if we just listen.

 



Angels from the Realm of Glory

 

This is a must watch. Every time I have watched this video and it has been several times I just get the chills. It truly is a touching song and has such a wonderful spirit about it. The musicians  are the Piano Guys and the singers are David Archuleta and Peter Hollens. Hopefully this will help you have the spirit of Christmas.

Fill the World with Christ's Love

I was reading the article in this month's copy of the Ensign entitled, "Fill the world with Christ's love" by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf and the following really stuck out to me:

Though He was a king, He cared neither the honors nor riches of men. His life, His words, and His daily activities were monuments of simple yet profound dignity.

Jesus the Christ, who knew perfectly how to give, set for us the pattern for giving. To those whose hearts are heavy with loneliness and sorrow, He brings compassion and comfort. To those whose bodies and minds are afflicted with illness and suffering, He brings love and healing.
To those whose souls are burdened with sin, He offers hope, forgiveness, and redemption.

If the Savior were among us today, we would find Him where He always was-ministering to the meek, the downcast, the humble, the distressed, and the poor of spirit."

This is what Christmas is all about. Celebrating His humble birth and remembering that the Savior was always mindful of the those who were struggling with sickness or were poor of spirit. He was and is always mindful of what we are going through. He truly loves us and we just need to ask for the needed comfort that we can't find anywhere else. Prayer is so powerful and truly blesses our lives.

I want share with what President Uchtdorf asks of us at the end: "During this Christmas season and always, may we give to Him by loving as he loves. May we remember the
humble dignity of His birth, gifts, and life. And May we, through simple acts of kindness, charity, and compassion, fill the world with the light of His love and healing power."

What will it be like when Christ comes?

Tonight a couple of my friends and I went to the Living Nativity in Alpine. What really stood out to me was the long lines and just wanting everyone to hurry so that we could see the baby Jesus. There were places that we passed families taking pictures with the camels and other live stock because we wanted to see the baby Jesus.

I just wanted to get to where Mary, Joseph and the Baby Jesus were and to feel of the love of our Heavenly Father showed us with a new born baby and older brother. There were crowds of people and lines wandering through to get to the baby.

It was super noisy but when we got  to the barn where Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus were there was just a reverence and quiet that was so peaceful. My one friend and I were talking about how there was these lines to see this baby Jesus and got talking about when Jesus comes again the lines there would be to see Him. I mentioned that we probably wouldn't mind standing in a line to see our Savior. We would just patiently wait our turn. Just seeing that new baby and how perfect he seemed was so touching.

How great it was to have a reminder of the true meaning of Christmas and to be away from the hustle and bustle of the world. May we all remember the true meaning of Christmas!