Sunday, December 24, 2017

#LightTheWorld with Luminaries tonight in Rose Park


This evening will conclude the Rose Park Stake's efforts in the #LightTheWorld effort as we follow the examples of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  After much preparation, dedication and sharing of personal testimonies, this evening, we do an outward example of that effort by placing luminaries in front of our homes and also sharing it with neighbors.  It is a small gesture that represents a much larger commitment as we share our testimonies with others.  I've written about it earlier in this blog, but invite any who are interested to join us.

Thursday evening, we invited members and neighbors alike to come to a wonderful event held in our parking lot of our Church Building that included music, propane fire pits for warmth as well as food. We not only were able to interact with each other but to also pick up a kit for the creation of 10 luminaries to place in front of our homes.  We likewise encouraged those taking them to also take one to share with a neighbor.  This was an idea, that came from our Stake's Cultural Arts specialist last year, Joni Astorga.  When she presented the idea, I questioned it somewhat, but then realized it was exactly the right way to end a month long effort.  She was receptive to the spirit and the Lord knew I was too set in my ways!  We learned a lot on the production side of things since last year, and while we were challenged with rain on Christmas Eve (when does that ever happen in Utah!), I was very touched by the faith of the members of the Rose Park Stake.

If you happen to live nearby and would like to participate, feel free to stop by my home or give me a call.  Or better yet, ask your neighbor, who is a member, if you can have one too.  We have some extras and would love to have them used.  The weather looks more encouraging and most of all, with our without luminaries, our light shines as an example of that commitment to follow his path.  Merry Christmas to you, Carlton.

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

#LightTheWorld - What's really important in life when it's all said and done



I've written about my father, Robert M. Christensen but when I looked at this particular video, it reminded me of a wonderful dream he had shortly before his death that I included previously, but felt I wanted to share it again.  It continues to have deep meaning to me when I let the things of the world hold me down, I'm reminded time and again, what truly matters.  The older I get, (I turn 52 later this week), the more I am reminded what I can't do without, my family, my faith and my service in God's kingdom.  Sometimes after the pettiness of politics or undertow of the workplace, I come back to a place that says, this is what I want in the end.  I am grateful for employment and the opportunity to provide for my family and hopefully take care of Cathy when I'm gone, but in the end, it's the items in this dream that really matter.

From the Autobiography of Robert M. Christensen:

"On my first visit to the hospital in August of 1975, after being informed that I had a potentially terminal illness, I lay thinking over my life, my future and my family. A remarkable vision was given to me at that time. I first saw a large pile of goods, and I recognized them as my own physical possessions. With them were other worldly goods which I dealt with every day in my work at ZCMI. Suddenly, they disappeared from my view, and I did not feel the slightest desire to look for them or to inquire as to where they went. My vision then showed me three things: one was my righteous family, the second was my knowledge, understanding and testimony of the restored gospel, and the third was the work that I had accomplished in the building up of the kingdom of God. Then, as though the person were standing at my side, a voice spoke to me and said, “This is what life is all about. That’s all there is that is important. That’s all there is to life.” I was then filled with a very comfortable feeling that the Lord had accepted my work and my life.

I want my family always to remember this story, and to place their values on the spiritual rather than the material things. I hope they will live their lives in such a way that theirs will be the riches of eternity. I want my family to know that I know with all my heart that God lives and is willing to bless us constantly through our lives, and that he wants each of us to succeed in living the gospel so that we can return and live with him in the Celestial Kingdom. I know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Savior and Redeemer of mankind, that he is the Lord of this earth and that he stands at the head of this church today. He reveals his will to his prophets and to every righteous priesthood holder and member of the church who seeks for divine guidance.

I have a great belief in the Holy Ghost, and on many occasions in my life, the power of the Holy Ghost has descended upon me and given me the knowledge and help which I needed in accomplishing the Lord’s work. I believe that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the only true church upon the face of the earth. And it is only by membership in the church that we can receive the ordinances of salvation and the principles and doctrines which are needed for entry into the celestial kingdom. I believe in living prophets and that as members of the church, we need to follow the living prophets. While we glean much wisdom and guidance from the prophets of old, it is the living prophets who show us the way to go today. I leave this testimony for the guidance of my family, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."

Sunday, December 10, 2017

#LightTheWorld - A Testimony of the Book of Mormon


While serving as a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Fukuoka Japan during 1985-86, I was assigned to a suburb of Fukuoka, in an area known as Ijiri.  I was serving as a zone leader when they asked me to speak and bear testimony at a fireside for new or investigating members.  

Pondering what I might say, I knelt down and prayed, asking the Lord for help.  I was timid about it, that while conversant, my Japanese was certainly not the best.  I had spent 9 months previously working in the mission home as Financial Secretary, and speaking opportunities were not quite as abundant.  As I knelt to pray, I saw a picture in my mind of the Japanese Book of Mormon.
Japanese Book of Mormon
 I had a very distinct feeling that I should testify of it, and when I finished my prayer, got up to write down a few thoughts, so that I could remember what I needed to say.  As I began to write, a very distinct impression came to me and a voice which said, "A testimony comes from the heart, not a piece of paper" to which I replied, "but you're not giving it in Japanese".  However I knew if I trusted in the Lord that when the time came, I could speak.

A few days came and the meeting started, and my turn came to speak, I held the book in my hand and began to testify of its truthfulness. (It of course fit in one hand, mine are pretty large!) I felt the words flow from my mouth in a manner that I never had before and spirit guided me in the words that I should say. My companion later remarked to me that he had never heard me speak like that before and a few weeks later, during a testimony meeting, a member commented how she had been in that meeting, heard the testimony and had chosen to read the book again.

More important, I was reminded how the book is true.  How I love it's teaching as it is another testimony of the Savior, Jesus Christ and that by reading it, we become closer to him and our Heavenly Father.  As we do so, the Holy Ghost will testify to you of its truthfulness, to which I testify, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Saturday, December 2, 2017

#LightTheWorld Fast Offerings - A way to respond to the Savior's call to feed the poor


There are many wonderful ways to respond to the Savior's call to feed the poor.  Many organizations do much good in answering needs around the world.  One of the most simplest and cost effective ways, is through a monthly opportunity, known as Fast Offerings.  In the Old Testament's book of Malachi 4:8-10 it reads:

8 ¶ Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

We often think of it just as tithing, but the Lord expects us to do more.  However in doing it, he offers an incredible blessings and promises.  In a true fast, we abstain from eating two meals in a 24 hour period and offer the equivalent of that cost of food (or more if we choose) as an offering to our Church's Bishop to use in caring for the poor as he sees fit and within guidelines set by the Church.  Through coordinated systems, offerings are first used in our local congregation and if there is more than needed, used elsewhere.  In some cases, if the needs are greater than donations, the Bishop can use excess fast offerings from other congregations in the needs of his own.  It's a beautiful system where you look to your own resources, that of family, and then food and basic necessities.  Much good comes from it, and most if not all families at some point are blessed from it, but certainly in giving to others.


A friend of mine, Bishop Dean L. Davies gave a wonderful address in General Conference a few years ago about both the responsibility and blessing of the the Fast, which I've included above.

There are those not of our faith, who are helped as well as donations to the Humanitarian Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints go worldwide, including communities locally who are suffering from disasters and other challenges.  Those donations, while separate, also aide in the challenge issued by the Savior and can be made here.

Tomorrow is Fast Sunday, and today I made my donation for fast offerings as well as the Humanitarian Fund in preparation of that day.  How grateful I am for both the opportunities and blessings that come from such a sacred opportunity and charge from the Savior to care for the poor.  It's not the only way I choose to do it, but it is without question, divinely inspired and a blessing in my life.