Tuesday, January 31, 2012

DAY 29

Read and Ponder Carefully:

THE LIVING CHRIST
THE TESTIMONY OF THE APOSTLES
THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS

As we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ two millennia ago, we offer our testimony of the reality of His matchless life and the infinite virtue of His great atoning sacrifice. None other has had so profound an influence upon all who have lived and will yet live upon the earth.
Jesus Christ by Del Parson
He was the Great Jehovah of the Old Testament, the Messiah of the New. Under the direction of His Father, He was the creator of the earth. “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:3). Though sinless, He was baptized to fulfill all righteousness. He “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38), yet was despised for it. His gospel was a message of peace and goodwill. He entreated all to follow His example. He walked the roads of Palestine, healing the sick, causing the blind to see, and raising the dead. He taught the truths of eternity, the reality of our premortal existence, the purpose of our life on earth, and the potential for the sons and daughters of God in the life to come.
He instituted the sacrament as a reminder of His great atoning sacrifice. He was arrested and condemned on spurious charges, convicted to satisfy a mob, and sentenced to die on Calvary’s cross. He gave His life to atone for the sins of all mankind. His was a great vicarious gift in behalf of all who would ever live upon the earth.
We solemnly testify that His life, which is central to all human history, neither began in Bethlehem nor concluded on Calvary. He was the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten Son in the flesh, the Redeemer of the world.
He Lives by Simon Dewey
He rose from the grave to “become the firstfruits of them that slept” (1 Corinthians 15:20). As Risen Lord, He visited among those He had loved in life. He also ministered among His “other sheep” (John 10:16) in ancient America. In the modern world, He and His Father appeared to the boyJoseph Smith, ushering in the long-promised “dispensation of the fulness of times” (Ephesians 1:10).
Of the Living Christ, the Prophet Joseph wrote: “His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying:
“I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father” (D&C 110:3–4).
Of Him the Prophet also declared: “And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!
“For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—
“That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God” (D&C 76:22–24).
We declare in words of solemnity that His priesthood and His Church have been restored upon the earth—“built upon the foundation of … apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (Ephesians 2:20).
We testify that He will someday return to earth. “And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together” (Isaiah 40:5). He will rule as King of Kings and reign as Lord of Lords, and every knee shall bend and every tongue shall speak in worship before Him. Each of us will stand to be judged of Him according to our works and the desires of our hearts.
We bear testimony, as His duly ordained Apostles—that Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God. He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the right hand of His Father. He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son.
The First Presidency

signatures
The Quorum Of The Twelve
signatures of the twelve
January 1, 2000

Monday, January 30, 2012

DAY 30

He Lives -- All Glory to His Name!
Read: St. John 11:25-27, 14:6
Ponder: Have the past 30 days built my testimony of Christ?  Have I felt the fullness of his light more in my life and do I want that to continue?  If so, go forward with faith, continue with your goals, study and pray and His spirit will abide with you.


Photography by Mark Mabry
"For this is life eternal that they might know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent."
St. John 17:3



"I want you to be proud you are a woman...Your Father in Heaven knows your name and knows your circumstance. He hears your prayers. 
He knows your hopes and dreams including your fears and frustrations.  And He knows what you can become through faith in Him.  Because of this divine heritage you have full equality in His sight and are empowered through obedience to become a rightful heir in His eternal kingdom...Be a woman of Christ. Cherish your esteemed place in the sight of God.  He needs you...The world needs you."    
~Elder Jeffery R. Holland


"And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ and we write according to our prophecies that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins."  2 Nephi 25:26
Photography by Mark Mabry

Write down your own personal testimony in your journal.



Congratulations on finishing this journey! I would love to hear something you have learned about yourself along the way.  You are welcome to share using the comment box below.

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Journey Revisited

Image result for Del Parson she turned to him
"She turned to Him" by Del Parson

Hard to believe it has been a year since I last posted! I started thinking about this walk on Easter Sunday and have decided to do the journey again. I want to be in a better place spiritually. It frustrates me how I cycle up and down that way. How does one keep a constant upward path? Why do I let the busyness of life interfere with my spirituality? I am still looking for my personal answer to that. For now, my answer is to get back on this walk ;) I am starting Day 1 today. I am sending out a daily email with a link to that days readings to anyone who wants it.  If you would like to get the daily reminders, send me your email address and I will add you to the mailing list. (heather@thekendricks.org)