On the Power of Praise

"The great Hungarian concert pianist Andor Földes tells the remarkable story of the watershed moment in his rise to world renown. He was 16 years old and already a veteran of years of intense practice and performance. The pianist Emil von Sauer, Franz Liszt’s last surviving pupil, came to Budapest and asked young Andor to play for him. Having listened intently to him playing Bach’s Toccata in C Major, von Sauer requested another piece. Andor put all his heart and skill into playing Beethoven’s “Pathetique” sonata, then continued with Schumann’s “Papillons.” Finally, after a long pause, von Sauer slowly rose, took the young man’s head into his hands, and kissed him on the forehead. “My son,” he said tenderly, “when I was your age I became a student of Liszt. He kissed me on the forehead after my first lesson, saying, ‘Take good care of this kiss—it comes from Beethoven, who gave it to me after hearing me play.’ I have waited for years to pass on this sacred heritage, and now I feel you deserve it.” (From Andor Földes, “Beethoven’s Kiss,” Reader’s Digest, November 1986, 145.)"

~ Beethoven’s Kiss: On the Odd Reasons for Brigham Young’s Excellent University - Larry H. Peer Dec 02, 2003

Voices

The Voice of the Spirit by James E. Faust
Fireside address given at Brigham Young University on 5 September 1993
"Paul said, “There are . . . so many kinds of voices in the world” (1 Corinthians 14:10) that compete with the voice of the Spirit. We have come here to hear just one voice... Imagine, however, what would happen if all of a sudden a heckler in the back of this hall started to yell obscenities; another on my left began to contend with him; another on my right began to debate with his neighbor; someone in the center turned on a recording of some loud music. Soon a chorus of raucous, rival voices would smother my voice, and it would be difficult, if not impossible, to deliver a spiritual message to you.
Such is the situation in the world. The Spirit’s voice is ever present, but it is calm. Said Isaiah, “And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever” (Isaiah 32:17). The adversary tries to smother this voice with a multitude of loud, persistent, persuasive, and appealing voices:
Murmuring voices that conjure up perceived injustices.
Whining voices that abhor challenge and work.
Seductive voices offering sensual enticements.
Soothing voices that lull us into carnal security.
Intellectual voices that profess sophistication and superiority.
Proud voices that rely on the arm of flesh.
Flattering voices that puff us up with pride.
Cynical voices that destroy hope.
Entertaining voices that promote pleasure seeking.
Commercial voices that tempt us to “spend money for that which is of no worth” and/or “labor for that which cannot satisfy” (2 Nephi 9:51).
Delirious voices that spawn the desire for a “high.” I refer not to a drug- or alcohol-induced high, but to the pursuit of dangerous, death-defying experiences for nothing more than a thrill.
Life, even our own, is so precious that we are accountable to the Lord for it, and we should not trifle with it. Once gone, it cannot be called back. There are so many manifestations of this that I will not enumerate them for fear of giving someone an idea. “The knowledge of sin tempteth to its commission” (seeGD, p. 373).
In your generation you will be barraged by multitudes of voices telling you how to live, how to gratify your passions, how to have it all. You will have up to five hundred television channels at your fingertips. There will be all sorts of software, interactive computer modems, databases, and bulletin boards; there will be desktop publishing, satellite receivers, and communications networks that will suffocate you with information. Local cable news networks will cover only local news. Everyone will be under more scrutiny. There will be fewer places of refuge and serenity. You will be bombarded with evil and wickedness like no other generation. As I contemplate this prospect, I am reminded of T. S. Eliot’s words, “Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge? Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?” (The Rock [1934], I)."

https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/james-e-faust_voice-spirit/

Radiate Goodness ~ By Lloyd Newell

"The choices we make not only shape our lives but, in a way, show on our face. We all know people who seem to have a light in their eyes, people who seem to light up a room. In most cases, it’s not their charisma but their character that impresses us—not their personality but their purity. The goodness of their lives is reflected on their countenance. They project the kind of confidence that comes from living with honor and integrity.

Paul Harvey, the famous radio commentator, put it this way after visiting the campus of a religious university known for its high moral standards. "Each... young face," he said, "mirrored a sort of... sublime assurance. These days many young eyes are prematurely old from countless compromises with conscience. But [these young people] have that enviable head start which derives from discipline, dedication, and consecration.”1

Several years ago, a student was traveling abroad when her connecting plane was unexpectedly delayed overnight. Even though the airline made accommodations for the passengers’ overnight stay, the young woman felt frightened, alone, and unprepared. She looked around at the other passengers and noticed a young mother who seemed to radiate peace and confidence in spite of the stressful situation. The student approached her and asked for some guidance. They ate dinner together, and the young mother calmed her fears. The next morning when they boarded the plane at the same time, the student thanked the young mother for her kindness. The student explained, “Somehow I knew you would help me.”

We have all been blessed by people who radiate goodness, and we can be that person for someone else. Of course, none of us is perfect, but if we are honestly striving to live in a positive way, it will show in our face, in our eyes, and in our countenance. And thus we can be a source of light to those around us."

1. In James E. Faust, "The Light in Their Eyes," Ensign, Nov. 2005, 20.

Some Thoughts On The Longest Day of the Year

What a time we live in. The Information Age! Information at your fingertips. The world in our laptop. Social media. Matchmaking websites. News, Entertainment, Shopping. Promotion of talent, ideas, agendas, even oneself.
If we're not careful, we live our lives online - we become "online addicts", fritter away our time and lose our connection to the "real world".
I remember when I used the computer only for word processing and email. Typewriters by the wayside. "Snail Mail" largely by the wayside. Bills paid online.
Now, I spend a great deal of time on the computer, doing business, genealogy, family history projects, connecting with friends, collecting recipes. doing research on numerous subjects, and engaging in discussions of the social and political issues of the day.
I sometimes yearn for the simplicity of my life b.c. (before computers and the net.) So here I am blogging about it. Anyone can now be an author of written material published for the whole world to read. Blog, blog, blog.

The Value of the Scriptures.

Today my little granddaughter Rebekah asked me for ideas for her talk in Sacrament Meeting tomorrow on the scriptures.

What are the scriptures?

They are the word of God. The scriptures are revelations from God to his prophets, both ancient and modern.

General Conference talks from the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles are scripture.

Our patriarchal blessings are our personal scripture because they are given through revelation from God.

What are Revelations?

God revealing or giving us to know, His word for us through the prophets (or even our stake patriarch.)

Articles of Faith 8 and 9 states that:

"8 We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.

9 We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God."

What are the Standard Works?

They are the volumes of scripture officially accepted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including the Holy Bible, the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price.

The value of the scriptures. (What the iron rod represents in Lehi's vision.)

In Lehi's vision there is an iron rod. The iron rod represents the word of God. Those who held to that rod reached the tree of life and found joy and happiness. Others wandered off into the mists of darkness and were lost. (1 Nephi 15.) You can see from this scripture how important the scriptures are to us.

In Psalms 19:7: "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet." the scriptures show us the pathway to God.

Alma 17:2 "and they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently."

The commandment to search the scriptures.

2 Ne. 31:20 "Press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ."

John 5:39: "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me."

How the scriptures can help us in our daily lives.

We come to know the Lord from reading the scriptures. The Holy Ghost can testify to us of their truthfulness when we read them. 

What the scriptures can mean to you personally.

We can find answers to our prayers as we read the scriptures, especially if we pray for understanding as we read them.

Developing the habit of reading the scriptures.

I find morning is best. I like to read them while eating breakfast - feeding my spirit as I feed my body.