He is Risen! New CD by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir

I love Easter music. I love choral music. And so I was grateful to receive a copy of He is Risen! -- the latest album from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

I was even more thrilled when I saw that "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" was one of the songs on the album. It's a favorite song of mine, so majestic and heart-stirring.

I wanted to include the lyrics of the song here:

1. When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince of Glory died;
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.

2. Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
save in the death of Christ, my God;
all the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to his blood.

3. See, from his head, his hands, his feet,
sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown.

4. Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were an offering far too small;
love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.


"Christ the Lord is Ris'n Today" and "He is Risen!" are also such glorious hymns. The first hymn actually makes me think of a sacred Easter experience I had years ago; this hymn was a significant part of that tender mercy day. Easter to me is not just about Christ's victory over death, but His victory over everything.

That said, the message of the resurrection is something I feel like I can take for granted because I've known about it all my life. But I stop to really think about the wonder of it all, it really does take my breath away. Music like this helps me pause and ponder. I know the resurrection is real and I love how this album "shout[s]" the message out "in joyful voice" to the world.

The album also includes a perhaps lesser known song, In the Garden, as well as a Handel piece from the Messiah, "Worthy Is the Lamb That Was Slain." I didn't connect as much to those songs because they aren't as familiar or I don't have the personal experience with them, but they were still lovely.

I am hoping to get my daughter's input on this album as well. Stay tuned.

You can listen to snippets of each song on the Mormon Tabernacle Choir page.

And here is a video that gives some glimpses into the music.

Power to Become by David A. Bednar

I was so grateful to have the opportunity to read The Power to Become, the third in a spiritual trilogy of sorts by Elder David A. Bednar. I hadn't read the first two (although I've wanted to!). I was told that this book could be read as a stand-alone experience and that was definitely the case for me.

The book has five different chapters, as follows:

Power to Become and the Atonement of Jesus Christ

Power to Become and the Spiritual Gift of Personal Peace

Power to Become, Priesthood Ordinances, and Willing Obedience

Power to Become and Enduring Valiantly

Power to Become and All Things Gathered Together in One 

I had an interesting experience with this book. I started reading it a few weeks ago and thought it was good, but didn't necessarily feel a connection with the content at first. When I curled up with the book this weekend, my experience was different. My initial experience is not a reflection of the book; I think there were experiences I had during those weeks in between that helped me be more ready to receive what Elder Bednar has to say. I think I came in more of a spirit of seeking. I even re-read some of what I had read before, and it sunk into my heart in a deeper way.

As I sat with my children last night around one of the discussion videos that was created to be used with this book, my son said something like, "He's teaching the basics." My son didn't say that in a negative way, but it was a good observation.

And that is the wonder of books like this, because in reality the basics are everything. They also all tie together. Elder Bednar encourages us (through the book and in the videos) to allow the Spirit to help us see how the truths of God really are all connected.

One of the chapters that resonated with me was the chapter on enduring valiantly. How often do we hear the basic idea that we need to endure to the end? In fact, Elder Bednar quotes several scriptures along these lines. But what does it really mean? How does it tie into the plan, the Atonement, the ordinances, the commandments?

I've been pondering a lot about the purpose of pain in this mortal sojourn of ours. My mortal self really would like to bypass and avoid and prevent pain, sometimes at all costs -- even if it has costed me peace and perspective! I've dealt, for example, with chronic health issues for over 11 years now. For the first few years of this trial, all I could think about was getting the trial removed. I thought surely if I had enough faith, I should be able to be healed (which to me meant being cured). Priesthood blessings have promised me health. I thought, too, that surely if I just got some tests done and talked to enough doctors, the solution would present itself.

Now, of course, sometimes healing does happen rather quickly and miraculously through priesthood blessings, and sometimes medical solutions are the very blessing that God guides people to, but for me, the answer has been different. The answer for me was and is to wait on the Lord and learn from the trial by leaning into it.

In short, for many years, my faith was tied to outcomes (see Elder Oaks' talk on healing the sick). And I still can so easily slip into the mode of wanting relief from my trials rather than wanting to learn what God would have me learn and seeking His peace through the hard stuff. Hearing truths like those taught by Elder Bednar helps the Spirit flow into my heart and give me strength to seek eternal perspective and help to endure well whatever may come. In reality, healing is coming -- not to my body, necessarily, but to my mind and heart.

Elder Bednar talks about the process of growth that I'm coming to understand, at least a little.

"If you and I are focused and consistent in [doing small and simple things to develop] our spiritual capacity, we can slowly and steadily strengthen our minds and hearts [he talks in the first chapter of how the Atonement enables this kind of progress to happen] to discern, accept, and employ gospel truth; we can increase our spiritual capacity to detect and avoid temptation; and we can increase our determination and our ability to endure, through the enabling power of the Atonement [yes, there it is!], any challenges we may encounter" (p. 119).

Another example of a basic concept that sunk into my heart was Elder Bednar's reflections on obedience. How easy is it to just talk about keeping the commandments in a sort of rote, passive way? Also, when we talk about keeping the commandments, I think we usually think of that to mean following laws like those found in the Ten Commandments or in temple recommend interviews. To be sure, this is one meaning. But Elder Bednar expands the definition of keeping the commandments to include the process of becoming more able to seek for and then submit to the personal commandments that God gives us.

"To be sure," Elder Bednar notes, "we keep the rules, but we also begin to ask ourselves, 'What is the principle involved here?'" (p. 89) He urges us to seek to become more founded in doctrines and principles, engaging the truths behind the laws of God, so we can come to understand more of what it means to receive "quiet and ongoing" -- and very personal -- "divine direction" (p. 89).

Elder Bednar quotes Doctrine and Covenants 59:3-4 and states:

"I find it fascinating that one of the greatest blessings related to keeping the commandments is additional commandments ["commandments not a few" says Doctrine and Covenants 59]. Now, individuals who find commandments restrictive and constraining clearly will not regard more commandments as a blessing. But the Apostle John taught that for one who has come unto Christ and been born again, God's "commandments are not grievous" (1 John 5:3). Thus, individuals who have eyes to see and ears to hear will readily recognize the consummate spiritual benefit that comes from extra direction from heaven.

"The individual and personal 'commandments not a few' we receive frequently tend to focus upon good things we can and should do to develop and deepen our discipleship -- as opposed to focusing primarily on the bad things we must avoid or overcome" (p. 90). 

Thus, Elder Bednar builds on something he has taught about a lot -- that the Atonement isn't just to overcome sin, but to enable us to become better and become more converted. To become more devoted, changed disciples of Christ. This book is all about that process of coming to Christ in small and simple -- basic -- yet profound, real, soul-changing ways.

I highly recommend this book. If you are like me, you'll want to have a pencil in hand when you read it. I highlighted much, and made notes in the margins (they've left space just for that). In addition, at the end of each chapter there are multiple pages with simple questions and generous space  for recording personal reflections and impressions.

You also might enjoy the Power to Become videos I mentioned earlier. (I've embedded the one I watched with my children below.) There are discussions with young adults, with couples, and with women. There is also an interview with Elder and Sister Bednar and Sheri Dew.

If you have read it (or one of his other books in this series), I would love to hear any thoughts and reflections you would like to share.

Consider the Blessings -- True Accounts of God's Hands in Our Lives

Today's review is written by a guest reviewer: my dear friend, Kel.

Are prophets really people? I know that they are real, and human, and have families and no doubt brush their teeth each day. Maybe they even have the occasional craving for peanut butter, and hearing a certain song shoots them from the middle of their sixth – or eighth -- decade back to being eighteen and enormously full of enthusiasm. I know all that. But are prophets real people? The kind of people who second guess themselves, who deliberately and stubbornly try to do what they have been instructed, prompted, taught?

I’ve wondered all of that for years now. Wondered for fifteen years, actually, since I converted and watched President Hinckley as my first ever I-know-it-in-my-heart-and-bones prophet, speaking in General Conference to me, to the Church. Is everything crystal clear for God’s anointed, I wondered? Is being generous, charitable, kind and loving as easy to them as breathing?

I found my answer in Consider the Blessings – True Accounts of God’s Hand in Our Lives by President Thomas S. Monson. A talented, engaging public speaker, President Monson also communicates beautifully in this book. Each section is a different vignette, deftly bringing to life a moment from his personal or church life to gently demonstrate lessons about service, love, following promptings, being God’s hands here on earth, and – always - being a disciple of Christ.

I was a little concerned when I read the blurb that this would be so sweetly pious it would make my teeth hurt (and my spirit grow dejected in comparison), but I really should have known better. What I have learned, and come to more fully appreciate, is that President Monson really is a person. A person who has lived every day of his life – like me – and has the opportunity every day – like me! – to consider what to do and say to those around him. He has chosen to be a disciple of Christ, and Consider the Blessings shares how that decision has been made manifest in his life. It is in the ‘ordinary details’ of President Monson’s stories that we are shown that God is in the smallest details of our lives, and how He waits for us to be His hands for others, while caring for us in exactly the same way.

President Monson writes with clarity, humility and humour, gently encouraging readers to live more deliberately, in tiny little seemingly insignificant ways to serve others and the Lord. In reading Consider the Blessings I have realised that I have the opportunity and the responsibility to approach my daily activities as a disciple of Christ. President Monson (and no doubt other prophets in the past) lives life one second at a time, one person in conversation, one letter and one prayer at a time, and recognises the power in those moments. Consider the Blessings has made me recognise the power I have in my everyday ordinariness (peanut butter cravings and all) to choose to see God’s hands, God’s blessings in my life, and be those same hands for those around me in whatever way I can.

Rating: A beautiful dose of Vitamin Encouragement – Highly Recommended.

Title: Consider the Blessings – True Accounts of God’s Hand in Our Lives

Author: President Thomas S Monson

Publisher: Deseret Book

Note: I won an e-copy of this book and read it from my phone. Consider the Blessings is a gem to have on your phone – each segment is a quick read wherever you may be and a lovely boost to mood and intentions. That being said, and after seeing the layout and details of the print version, I will definitely be buying a physical copy as well.

Written on Our Hearts by Emily Freeman

Emily Freeman's book, Written on Our Hearts, is a beautiful compilation of "invitations from the Old Testament." Using a combination of personal story and personal reflection on scriptural stories, Freeman invites the reader to engage the Old Testament and apply its powerful messages to daily life.

Freeman folds messages from the Old Testament into experiences with rather ordinary life events and activities like lacrosse games and gardening and hiking. She also shares tender and unique experiences, such as the time they took in a young man who had been evicted from his home. The reader gets to hear thoughts on both familiar stories and characters in the Old Testament, as well as consider some lesser-known stories.

Although I love me an intensive doctrinal book, I also appreciate books like this one. Because the chapters are short, it's the kind of book that you can pick up and read for just a few minutes and be uplifted.

In her introduction, Freeman writes:

"People often ask me why I love the Old Testament so fiercely. I always respond with the same answer. There will come a moment in your life when you are someone you love will struggle with  challenge so great you will wonder how you will make it through....The stories and lessons of the Old Testament have carried me through some of the greatest challenges of my life. In those moments, much-needed verses of scripture have been written on my heart. When I need deeper courage, unyielding strength, and increased wisdom to face that situation at hand, I turn to the pages of the Old Testament. It is within those pages that I have come to know Jehovah, the Deliverer -- Jesus Christ -- in a way I might not have before."

I, too, am moved by considering ancient stories about our Deliverer, and I appreciate the spirit with which Freeman has written this book. I feel it invites the reader to feast more deliberately on the words in the Old Testament, and to find what messages of hope and mercy that the Lord would have us feel in our own lives.

About the author: Emily Freeman is an author, songwriter, and motivational speaker. Her writing reflects a deep love of the scriptures and a strong desire to find their application in modern-day life. Emily and her husband, Greg, are the parents of four children and live in Lehi, Utah.

Review: Longing for Home by Sarah M. Eden

Note from the momma: I'm excited to share this review by my friend, Lisa. She won a giveaway for Sarah M. Eden's book, Longing for Home. The deal was that she also got to write a review. :) Without further adieu, here it is! Thanks, Lisa. And thanks to Deseret Book for the giveaway copy.

Longing for Home by Sarah Eden

“Eighteen years had passed since Katie Macauley killed her sister”  thus begins the latest from author Sarah Eden.

Set in Wyoming territory in 1870, the story of Katie Macauley is a tragic, touching and romantic one.
Racked with guilt over her role in her sister’s death two decades earlier, Katie is still searching for a way to make amends and return home to her family in Ireland. She has come to Hope Springs, Wyoming to serve as a housekeeper for the town’s wealthiest man, Joseph Archer, to achieve this goal.

Upon her arrival in Hope Springs, accompanied by Tavish and Ian O’Connor, Katie is promptly fired by Joseph Archer. His explanation, because she is Irish. She manages to convince him to allow her to keep her job until a replacement can be found, to which he acquiesces, and then the troubles really begin.

Hope Springs is a battleground, currently in an uneasy truce,  between the Irish and the non-Irish settlers. Joseph has elected to stay out of the fray, and having Katie as a housekeeper upsets the balance of things and his ability to continue to stay out of the conflict. At some point, his ability to remain neutral will no longer exist.

I was touched by Katie’s resilience and willingness to work hard and stick to her guns. She was “sold into service” at the age of eight and has spent her life working for others with the goal of being able to go back home someday.

The Irish community of Hope Springs adopts her and you slowly see her starting to come out of the shell she has built to protect herself.  I was heart-broken over and over again to think of the challenges this young girl faced and the resilience it took to for her to survive. I was happy to see the friendship between Katie and the Irish women blossom and her confidence increasing, realizing her contributions mattered and that people cared about her, not just what she could do for them.

Tavish O’Connor is a young Irishman who’s fiancé was killed in the same epidemic that took Joseph Archer’s wife. He looks out for Katie and in several cases, keeps her from being harassed or harmed by the non-Irish settlers. He is charming and funny and can make her smile. He has a wonderful family and she is welcomed as one of their own. As a romance begins to blossom between Katie and Tavish, the Irish folk see it as a foregone conclusion that they will marry.

Joseph Archer, a young widower with two young daughters, is in a tough spot. As his attraction to Katie grows and her feelings for him and his daughters soften, he is put in the position of being her employer & protector while she is living in his home, which limits his ability to court her.

He is also faced with the growing aggression of the town’s people against the Irish and his position and influence may not be enough to keep the town from exploding into violence again.

The romance between Katie and Joseph is subtle…a look here, a shared moment there, but you wonder if circumstances allowed, would it not be more? Or will Tavish win her hand before Joseph even has an opportunity to vie for it?

In the midst of the turmoil in Katie’s heart and in the town, she is faced with the decision of whether or not to return home to Ireland and her family…hoping for some type of absolution and peace from those who abandoned her, or to stay in Wyoming where she may have found the home she has always been longing for with a man who loves her.

I am a fan of  Ms. Eden’s and have read all of her novels. I loved this book, I think it is actually my favorite of hers, for several reasons:

- It was an “American” story.  I love the “regency” romance books and stories of society in England, but this one resonated with me more because I am descended from people like Katie and I could really relate to her story. I have heard the stories of the difficult life in the early American West…the struggle to survive throughout the harshest of winters and brutal summers, the horrible epidemics that killed entire families and the resilience and determination of the settlers to not only survive, but to thrive.

- The conflicts in this story were more “real” to me. As a history student, and the wife of an Irish descendent, I’m ashamed to say I really had no idea of the struggles and prejudice against the Irish who came to America after the famine. I was angered by so many of the things that the non-Irish did to the Irish and I am inspired to learn a little more about the history of the Irish Conflicts in America. I was again inspired by the Irish’ determination to stay and to prosper in the midst of persecution and discrimination.

Katie herself, this character had been through so much in her life and her ability to open her heart to love, touched me. Her happiness truly mattered to me.

I highly recommend this book to fans of Ms. Eden’s and those of you who may not have  read one of her books. It is a wonderful, touching, and to me, thought provoking, story.

I can’t wait for the sequel in Spring 2014!

- -

About Sarah M. Eden

Sarah M. Eden is the author of multiple historical romances, including Whitney Award finalistsSeeking Persephone (2008, Covenant Communications) and Courting Miss Lancaster(2010, Covenant Communications). Combining her obsession with history and affinity for tender love stories, Sarah loves crafting witty characters and heartfelt romances. She holds a Bachelor's degree in research and happily spends hours perusing the reference shelves of her local library. Sarah has twice served as the Master of Ceremonies for the LDStorymakers Writers Conference, acted as the Writer in Residence at the Northwest Writers Retreat and is one-third of the team at the AppendixPodcast.com. Sarah is represented by Pam van Hylckama Vlieg at Foreword Literary Agency.

Stay updated about Sarah Eden's work by liking her Facebook page and following her blog.

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Giveaway! Consider the Blessings (compilation of 50 true accounts shared by President Monson)

Speaking of books, I get to do another LDS book giveaway, just in time for General Conference. Here's the description: " Consider the Blessings presents fifty of the true accounts President Thomas S. Monson has shared over the past fifty years. With beautiful photographs and heart-touching content, this is a book to treasure with the whole family." 

To enter the giveaway, share a favorite story or teaching from or about or related to President Monson -- either one he has shared himself or one you have heard shared about him. 

The one catch for this giveaway is that the winner gets to write a review to be posted here! :) So with your entry, please pick a date in October for posting a review. This allows me to get information DB requires to mail out a book to the winner. Also, if you haven't yet liked Deseret Book on Facebook, you'll want to do that, too.

Here's my contribution to the conversation. Following are two posts that I love about President Monson and his ministering love and the difference it has made in individual people's lives. When I hear stories like these, I imagine the Savior and how He would minister personally to those around Him. And how we each need to seek to follow the Spirit (as Stephanie did) so that we can be instruments to help others, to be on His errand.

http://mormonwoman.org/2010/06/29/meeting-the-prophet-on-the-roadside-in-gila-valley/

http://diapersanddivinity.com/2013/09/04/in-which-president-monson-turned-my-stressful-week-around/

Face to Face by S. Michael Wilcox

I officially have a new favorite book that I want to share from the rooftops with every faith-seeking person I know.

I was so grateful when Deseret book gave me the opportunity to read S. Michael Wilcox's latest book, Face to Face: Seeking a Personal Relationship with God. If you are not familiar with Brother Wilcox and his powerful way of highlighting life-changing truths out of the scriptures, take a few minutes before you read this review to listen to his talk The Fourth Watch (scroll down to the end of the post to watch the video), or to read this devotional he gave at BYU-Hawaii.



Brother Wilcox was one of my Book of Mormon professors back in the day. His class and the one I took from Susan Easton Black played important roles in the process of really gaining my firm testimony of the Book of Mormon. So I feel a special, personal connection with Brother Wilcox -- even though I realize I am only one of the thousands of people who have been so influenced by him.

I have long had a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ. I have known that God is aware of me; I have felt Him guide my life, particularly at major crossroads times of decision.

But it's only in the last few years that I've come to realize how much I still have yet to know and understand about my Heavenly Father and His very personal love for me. This book helped deepen both my testimony of God's love, and my desire to reach out more to build a relationship with Him and trust in Him more in my life.

As is Brother Wilcox's style, he uses a masterful combination of scriptural insight and personal experience to discuss ways we can not just pray, but reach in our communication with Heavenly Father. He discusses reaching through pouring out, reaching through wrestling, reaching through believing, reaching through acting, and reaching through knocking. The principles in each chapter weave and fold into each other, but I think (at least on my first reading), the first chapter is my favorite. I wept as I read and felt the power of his insights and testimony.

The following quote has stayed with me. As someone who spent a lot of time holding back in my prayers, I find this notion of pouring out (something, again, I've only started to understand in the last few years) is extremely profound.

Brother Wilcox uses the poignant example of Hannah in the scriptures, “who poured out her soul out of the abundance of her complaint and grief.”

“The soul can be described as a vessel that fills from time to time with various emotions, thoughts, memories, questions, and so forth. The very phrase pour out suggests this visual image. I have found it useful to see my soul as a vessel; I often ask myself what it contains before I kneel before the Lord. There is a difference to my approach when I say “I’m going to pour out my soul to God” rather than “I’m going to say my prayers.” The very phrase suggests there will be no holding back…. It is helpful to me to understand or recognize exactly what is in my soul. I must be totally honest with myself. Is it confusion, or doubt, or sorrow, or love, or gratitude, or guilt, or shame, or worry? I believe what the Father wants from us is the contents of our souls. I sense that unless we pour out, he cannot pour in. We want to make sure we empty everything to make room for what he will give us in return” (p. 19).

I'm reminded of President Eyring's talk about the pavilions that can sometimes keep us from feeling God's love for and awareness of us. Brother Wilcox shares his own personal experiences with doubt, grief (he lost his wife to cancer a couple of years ago), inadequacy, fear...the emotions that most mortals will struggle with at some point or another. This book feels like a sort of pouring out, a vulnerable, powerful testimony of what can happen when we are vulnerable with our Father.

This book is a treasure. I cannot recommend it enough.