Stripling Warriors' Mom: Encourage posterity to write their spiritual thoughts

Monday, November 23, 2009

Sacred Experience of Peace and Comfort, Knowledge the Veil is Thinned

It is interesting to my mind now that I knew that as a four year old child I found such great comfort when I saw a photo of the Salt Lake Temple on a baggage label on a round sticker placed on my parents suitcase in their closet.

Oddly, I was drawn to that picture when my mother scolded me; I retreated to hide and sought solace in her closet and sat by that suitcase underneath the clothes hanging there.

I never knew the connection to that until much later in my years as an adult. I was sitting in a Gospel Doctrine class eight years ago when the inspiration of the Holy Ghost gave the significance of the temple in my early childhood. I had not thought about my finding comfort in my parents closet for many decades.

The Spirit then let me know that I was present in the Spirit and sang with the saints of the latter days in the dedication of that magnificent temple! It is congruent for me now to always go to the House of the Lord and continue to find peace and solace within those holy walls.

P.S. I am pleased to have written this short account at the time it came. I pray for any of you who read this to take a few moments to record your thoughts. Especialy when things come to mind by the Spirit of the Holy Ghost to be promptings, to make note in your journals. This is why I like making entries here and blog them.

Power to Act in God's Name

I believe and know very strongly that, " A man, young or old never stands taller than when he is doing his priesthood duties or responsibilities. Be it station as a Deacon, Teacher, Priest, Elder, High Priest, Home teacher, priesthood holder husband, father, son or grandfather, Bishop, or Prophet of God. He has a mantle about him that emanates and gives him the authority to act in God's name, and uses it in righteousness. It is a blessing to him and his family. To this I know that he raises the bar in doing his duty to God and his fellow man.”

" I stand in awe of the goodness that pervades within that soul who honors and lives up to his priesthood calling with a pure heart. It is evident to me and cannot be hidden. I believe that quality shines in their countenances and His image is radiated in their face's.

Insights by Anna 11.22.09

Touch of The Master's Hand

And the auctioneer thought it
hardly worth his while
To waste his time on the old violin,
but he held it up with a smile.

"What am I bid, good people", he cried,
" It was battered and scarred,
Who starts the bidding for me?"
"One dollar, one dollar, Do I hear two?"
"Two dollars, who makes it three?"
"Three dollars once, three dollars twice, going for three,"

But, No,
From the room far back a gray bearded man
Came forward and picked up the bow,
Then wiping the dust from the old violin
And tightening up the strings,
He played a melody, pure and sweet
As sweet as the angel sings.

The music ceased and the auctioneer
With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said "What now am I bid for this old violin?"
As he held it aloft with its' bow.

"One thousand, one thousand, Do I hear two?"
"Two thousand, Who makes it three?"
"Three thousand once, three thousand twice,
Going and gone", said he.

The audience cheered,
But some of them cried,
"We just don't understand."
"What changed its' worth?"
Swift came the reply.
"The Touch of the Masters Hand."

And many a man with life out of tune
All battered with bourbon and gin
Is auctioned cheap to a thoughtless crowd
Much like that old violin

A mess of pottage, a glass of wine,
A game and he travels on.
He is going once, he is going twice,
He is going and almost gone.

But the Master comes,
And the foolish crowd never can quite understand,
The worth of a soul and the change that is wrought
By the Touch of the Masters' Hand.

Myra Brooks Welch