A friend of mine shared some thoughts that have gotten me thinking.

She talked about how much she loves nature. She and her husband love to take walks outside (when they were younger, they hiked a lot). As for so many of us, she finds being in nature soothing to her soul.

For those of us who believe in Jesus Christ, He is found in nature. He is the Creator of the earth. He is the Creator and source of light in sun, moon, and stars. The peace we can find among His creations is His peace.

My friend built on this idea and made a spiritual connection to the notion of the tree of life. She explored the idea of staying at the tree — like the one mentioned in the Book of Mormon in Lehi’s vision of the tree of life.

The tree there represents Jesus Christ. To stay at the tree — to be a tree-hugger spiritually — is to stay by Jesus. That vision given to Lehi has many elements to it, and staying at the tree is one of the key protections against things like mocking voices and the shame that can come from listening to them. (I think about how easy it is to listen to shame from hamster-wheel thoughts in my own mind; I don’t need external mocking voices to feel toxic shame. Keeping Jesus close in my thoughts can help, especially when I remember that His voice is one of love and care and gentleness.)

Reflecting on my friend’s thoughts made me think of John 15 (see also Isaiah 27) about Jesus being the true vine. To truly stay by the tree is to be connected to Him as the Source of life (both now and forever). He is the Source of breath for our bodies. He is the One who makes resurrection possible for us all. His life as the True Vine showed us the Way, and His death (on a tree, as it is sometimes said) and resurrection made the Way for us to be forgiven and someday to return back to our Heavenly Parents.

My friend also talked about her love of family history. More trees to hug! I, too, love doing family history and discovering more about my family tree, and helping use the wonders of technology to build family trees in tools like FamilySearch and Ancestry. When I do family history, I feel like I sometimes can get a glimpse of how personally each of us is known to God. Even in a few records, I can learn more about a person — what they looked like, what their profession might have been, perhaps where they lived and how they died. When I find someone in the records who hasn’t yet been represented on a family tree, sometimes I stop and just say their name out loud. “I see you.” I sometimes wish I could give them a hug! But helping their stories be told feels like a way to show love for them. These people are not dead to God, and building family trees in records helps me remember that. Like in the Disney movie Coco (about el Día de los Muertos — a movie about family history!), they need not be dead to us. We benefit when we remember them and tell their stories (and let records help us do that).

For members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, building family trees in records also connects us to the temple. My friend talked about this, too — about the peace she finds in the rootedness of the temple. In the temple, sacred ordinances are performed to bind families together. The crowning ordinance performed therein is called the sealing ordinance — where husband and wife can be married for time and eternity — not just “until death do us part.” The authority to bind families together in this way was committed to Joseph Smith shortly after the dedication of the Kirtland temple when Elijah the prophet — the one who spoke anciently of hearts of fathers turning to children and children to fathers — came (just as other ancient leaders had done earlier to restore the power to baptize (John the Baptist) and to confirm the Holy Ghost (Peter, James, and John).

Once people receive temple ordinances for themselves (some of them symbolic of ordinances received in ancient times), then we can act as “proxies” for those who have passed on. In a favorite film of mine, called “The Mountain of the Lord,” President Wilford Woodruff is portrayed speaking to a newspaper reporter, who scoffed a bit at this idea of doing proxy work for the dead. I like how President Woodruff’s response to the reporter was represented.

“Many people believe in some form of vicarious work for the dead. The Atonement of Jesus Christ was a vicarious work. Whoever accepts Jesus as the Savior also accepts the principle of vicarious proxy.”

Since these ordinances require a physical body, we who have physical bodies act as proxy for those who do not have bodies anymore, as death separates body and spirit until the time of resurrection. And then those who have had ordinances performed on their behalf have the opportunity to choose to accept or reject them.

You can learn more about Jesus’ visit to the spirit world after His death (as referred to in 1 Peter 3:18-19), in Doctrine and Covenants 138.)

I love patterns and symbols, and appreciated my friend’s invitation to think about trees today, and all the many ways I can be a tree hugger.

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There is a story in the Book of Mormon about a man named Alma. He his friends (sons of a prophet-king named Mosiah) went around trying to dissuade people from believing in God.

They were not unlike Saul in the New Testament, both in terms of what their life’s work was for quite a while (working against the work of God), and also in terms of external events that helped them turn their lives around.

But it wasn’t the heavenly visitation of the Lord or an angel that really helped Paul become a disciple of Christ, or helped Alma and the sons of Mosiah become ambassadors for God. It was a change of heart brought about because of the acceptance of the grace of Jesus Christ and choosing a changed life.

One way we know this is because there were plenty of people in the New Testament who interacted face-to-face with Jesus Himself and were not converted to Him. There are many in the Bible who professed to believe in God but did not follow His ways. Likewise, in the Book of Mormon, there is a story of an angel appearing and not making a difference in people’s lives (two other sons of a prophet, Laman and Lemuel, who never fully got their hearts into following God and ended up at war with those who did…a war that lasted for generations).

We don’t need heavenly messengers to invite us to change. We can invite Jesus into our lives and hearts. “Angels” extending such an invitation (or reminding us of the invitation we’ve already sought to accept) can be people in our lives, or words in scripture coming alive through God’s Spirit, or missionaries sharing the message of mercy available to us all through Jesus Christ, or music touching our heart, or a show like The Chosen giving us a live-action view of what it could have been like to walk with Jesus when He was on earth.

Here is an example of such a story of a simple invitation. The story was shared by a sister missionary serving in the southeast area of the United States. (The man in the story gave permission for the missionary to share his story, but here we will keep his name confidential.)

This missionary and her companion visited with a man who is awaiting trial for a crime. His mind was very weighed down with everything going on and he expressed a desire to make better decisions in his life.

One of the sister missionaries shared Alma’s story in Alma 36. This story helped him feel hope that because of Jesus Christ, he can change. (See also the words in vs. 19 not circled here.)

This story stood out to me all the more so because I recently had two young men about to start their missions (angels in my own life) invite me to read these same verses on a weekend when my mind was weighed down with worry and weariness. I was raised reading the Book of Mormon, but I still felt like God was reaching out to me through this invitation to re-read these verses.

Alma went from a harrowed-up mind to a mind filled with joy. What was the difference? Turning his mind and heart to Jesus Christ. Remembering what his father Alma had taught about Jesus Christ. Allowing the love of Jesus Christ to enter into his mind and heart.

And once he had tasted of this joy, Alma “labored without ceasing” to share that joy in Jesus with others.

24 Yea, and from that time even until now, I have labored without ceasing, that I might bring souls unto ^arepentance; that I might bring them to ^btaste of the exceeding joy of which I did taste; that they might also be ^cborn of God, and be ^dfilled with the Holy Ghost.

There are myriad stories like this in the scriptures. The woman at the well from John 4 in the New Testament is another that comes to mind. She sat with Jesus while He told her about the sins in her life. As He did, she opened her mind and heart to the reality that He was the long-awaited Messiah. And then she left her pot and went to share the glad news with those in her circles.

I’ve been raised on the teachings of Jesus, but I need reminders to keep turning my mind and heart to Him. My mind is all-too-easily weighed down.

Writing is one way I seek to remember.

Pondering all of this also reminds me of a video that was made a few years ago for Easter. It talks about second chances, clean slates, new beginnings. Here’s the link to that video, or it is embedded below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGCbMEmpY4g

There’s a saying that the past is a good predictor of the future. But when a person involves Jesus Christ in his or her or their life, this little saying goes out the window. Those who understand how humans can change (practicing a different focus on the present as a way to be released from the bondage of the past) understand this principle, even when they don’t fully understand (or at least don’t openly teach) that Jesus Christ is the One who makes such change possible. (I’m thinking, for example, of a saying from Eckhardt Tolle written on my mirror: “The past cannot prevail against the power of the now.” (from his book, The Power of Now.) The truth that change is possible is everywhere, in leadership trainings and spiritual movements.

The reason it is possible is because of what Jesus Christ did for us and because of the divinity within us as children of God.

Here’s to new beginnings each day because of the reality of God and Jesus Christ.

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Times are tough the world over. COVID-19 is still wreaking havoc in the lives of individuals, families, and countries. Many people are suffering economic or other hardships. Many countries suffer from unrest or war. It can be difficult to stay centered when news headlines remind us of all that is unsettled in our world.

But there are things we can do to invite God into our lives to find more peace. Seeking peace isn’t just a benefit for ourselves; those who are at peace within themselves are more able to help others as well.

One way to do this is to read the word of God in scripture, such as the Bible. Reading from the Old and New Testaments with a desire to have God speak to us can open up insights about His love and nature. Reading the stories of people who went through hard things in scripture and found God’s help and strength can help us find hope for our own lives. Knowing that since the beginning of time, humans have gone through hard things and have been able to learn and grow from them can give us courage to carry on through our own hard times.

There is another book of scripture, called Another Testament of Jesus Christ. This book, the Book of Mormon, spans 1000 years of history, from about 600 B.C. to 400 A.D. It’s a record of a branch of the House of Israel that was guided from the Old World to the New (around the time of Jeremiah). It includes a record of Jesus Christ visiting the descendants of those so guided. He appeared after His resurrection and let the people feel the scars of the nails in His hands and feet — much like He allowed His apostles to do in the New Testament when He appeared to them. This account in the Book of Mormon shows that He allowed 2500 people to do the same! He didn’t reserve this special experience of witnessing His resurrection one by one to only a select few.

Even as I write that, I feel a sense of wonder and peace. Jesus wants us all to have experiences with Him. As we seek to learn about Him in scripture, we can “Come and See” more of who He is, and come to know through the witness of the Holy Ghost (Holy Spirit) that He is real. He lives.

And students of the Bible know that He will come again. The more we can learn about Him and find Him now in our hard and good times, the more we’ll be ready to receive Him when He comes again.

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Many thanks to Susan Noyles Anderson for giving us permission to share this poem with you. (You can see more of her poetry here.) This poem emerged recently as the three-year anniversary of her son’s death was coming up.

I’m reminded of an insight shared by a friend not long ago, which was shared with her by another friend. We all are acquainted with grief at some point or another in our lives. This friend noted that the Savior, Jesus Christ, talks about His bowels being full of mercy (see verse 6 in 3 Nephi 11 or Alma 7:11-12 for examples)…and that perhaps there is a reason for this. The scriptures teach that all things testify of Christ. That must mean even how our bodies work can teach us.

Perhaps grief is something that is meant to pass through us, to not stay with us too long, at least not in that intense, overwhelming kind of way.

I love how Sue explores this notion in her poem.

Grandma Said
by Susan Noyes Anderson

Soon or late, life teaches lessons
few would choose to learn.
Ours is, at best, a rocky path
with many a twist and turn.

We used to hear, "When things get tough,
the tough get going," right? —
To suck it up, not muck it up,
keep smiling, and hang tight.

Today it's all about self-care
and focusing on feelings.
Hold space, give place to loss and pain,
wade through, make room for healing.

The world has given us hard times
in recent years; it's true.
Most seek relief from current counsel,
and that's good to do.

Embrace those seas of strong emotion:
swim in grief and sorrow.
Be real. It's needed—but past ways
are also good to borrow.

No psychic tool precludes the rest.
No balm is always better.
The bold use methods new and old
to hold themselves together.

It works, sometimes, when down and out
and feeling quite bereft
to focus less on what is lost
and more on what is left.

{My grandma said it best.}

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Some people who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints share some of their thoughts in response to this question.

This video from Latter-day Saints in Canada includes several people’s thoughts, including youth and children.

What brings you peace? Missionaries in Australia share some of their thoughts and invite people to do the same.

“Before I decided to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I had faith, but it wasn’t very strong. My life was not as happy. I had happy moments, but didn’t have that lasting peace that faith in Jesus Christ brings. I remember the day that I decided I was going to start growing that faith.I was going through a rough time in my life, and wanted a change. I started by praying every day. It was difficult at first, remembering to pray in the morning, but I found that as I continued to pray my faith in my Savior, Jesus Christ, was strengthened. I then wanted more so I started reading the scriptures, both the Bible and the Book of Mormon….I am [a] different person than I was five years ago, and I would never go back to who I was. I know that it’s all because of my faith in Jesus Christ.” Sister C

Krista shares how a reminder about trusting in God when struggling when family members have made hurtful decisions has allowed her to show more love to her family, and brings her peace regardless of the choices others make. “Putting trust in God, that’s having faith….I’m so thankful to know about Jesus Christ, about God. I’m so thankful for my faith, because that’s what makes life beautiful.” [Krista’s thoughts start at about 2:30 in the video]

A family from Canada shares this: “The gospel [of Jesus Christ] has brought direction and guidance to our family during these difficult times. The song, “there is peace in Christ” is one that our children really enjoy singing. The gospel and our Savior have brought peace to our family. In our everyday, we often face little challenges and family prayer has helped us spiritually and brought peace into our home. We are especially grateful for the plan of salvation which allows all families to be together forever.”

Other young missionaries share experiences that have strengthened their faith here.

A family from Australia shares this: “When the world is full of discontent and strife. I am grateful for my little family, and our home where the cares of the world disappear and we can enjoy our times together. We find peace reading from the holy scriptures each day and and discussing our eternal natures. We especially love watching the Tv series, The Chosen together. The life of Jesus is brought to life with his teachings and miracles put into real life scenarios. One of the greatest teachings that gives us peace and hope for the future is knowing that we can live together eternally. The Son of God conquered death and offers eternal life to his true disciples. If I can teach my children anything I hope they can learn that they have a Father in heaven who they can rely on. And that by following the Lord Jesus Christ and his teachings they can find true joy in living this life and eternal life in the world to come.”

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P I C T U R E T H I S

You have a question, and it’s been weighing on your mind for a while now.

Everywhere you turn for answers, leaves you with more confusion. Darkness. Until one day you read these words in the scriptures, and you feel a spark of light:

“If any of ye lack wisdom, let him ask of God.”

You could definitely use some wisdom. So you decide to ask God….

“Ask of God.” and He will answer. Think of a question you can ask your Heavenly Father in prayer, and then ask it – today!!

In an ever darkening world, there is… right in front of us…L I G H T.

From Followers of Christ in South Miami

Learn more about how this scripture in James changed the life of one young man…and changed the world: Jesus’ Church Restored

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It’s a wonderful thing to talk about the scriptures with other people, because often others see things I’ve never seen before, or help me see a scripture in a whole new way.

Recently, I was in a small group discussion about the plan of salvation (God’s plan for our happiness and help in this life and life with Him in the next). We were talking about Jesus Christ’s central role in that plan, and considering scriptures from the Book of Mormon that help teach about the Savior.

There are a lot of scriptures from the Book of Mormon that come to mind for me, but I was so moved to hear what scripture a friend chose to focus on.

It’s found in 1 Nephi 21:16.

But first, some context for the verse.

In this part of the Book of Mormon, Nephi, an ancient prophet-historian whose father, Lehi, had been guided by God to leave Jerusalem with his family (around 600 B.C.) and come to the American continent. They were brought out of Jerusalem to protect them from the destruction that came when Babylon invaded Israel. They also were guided to create a record of prophecies of Jesus Christ and His dealings with a branch of the house of Israel people who came to the New World.

Nephi was teaching his people about Christ — and writing for people in the future as well, especially the house of Israel — quoting or summarizing the teachings of various prophets from the Old World.

But he focused a lot of his attention on the writings of Isaiah, which writings they had with them.

“And I, Nephi, have written these things unto my people, that perhaps I might persuade them that they would remember the Lord their Redeemer. Wherefore, I speak unto all the house of Israel, if it so be that they should obtain these things…

“Now it came to pass that I, Nephi, did teach my brethren these things; and it came to pass that I did read many things to them, which were engraven upon the plates of brass, that they might know concerning the doings of the Lord in other lands, among people of old. And I did read many things unto them which were written in the books of Moses; but that I might more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer I did read unto them that which was written by the prophet Isaiah….”

(1 Nephi 19:18-19, 22-23)

My friend shared one of the beautiful, short verses from Isaiah that Nephi quotes.

Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me. (See also Isaiah 49:16)

Many scholars (and others) interpret the walls in this verse to mean the walls of Jerusalem or Zion, and that is always what comes to mind when I hear or read this verse. Historically, this interpretation makes sense. Isaiah was always writing for both the present and the future.

But my friend shared the verse in a personal way to illustrate Jesus’ love for us, and he said something to this effect: “Jesus knows about the walls in your life. He knows what barriers are troubling you, what things feel like they are in the way as you move along in your journey.”

I believe this, and I was grateful for my friend’s insights into this short but power-packed verse about the mercy and love of Jesus Christ. I recommend the entire chapter for more about God’s love for us, His children, and His commitment to help and care for us.

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For the first time, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints provided a virtual event, a broadcast, for children. Two children hosted the event, and children prayed and narrated videos. The event also included participatory art activities.

Jesus exhorted us to be as little children. Watching this broadcast reminded me a little of why.

My children aren’t little anymore, but it was a treat to be able to listen to children speak and sing of the truths of the Restored gospel of Jesus Christ and to talk about trying to be and serve like Jesus did. And to see, as President Russell M. Nelson, that children really can do great things.

The broadcast ended with a virtual choir…in three languages! (Spanish and Portuguese are pictured below.)

You can watch the entire broadcast on the Church’s website, on YouTube, on BYUtv.org, Facebook, and more.

Or you can watch in the embedded video below.

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As your new year has started, how are you feeling? 2020 was quite a year, and 2021 has already presented some real challenges.

We are grateful to know that Jesus Christ is real and knows what is happening in our lives — individually and collectively — and can help us find peace (individually and collectively!).

If you are searching for peace, we invite you to learn more about Jesus Christ. Or if you already know about Him, we hope you continue to find ways to bring Him into your life each day. We need Him more than ever!

For me, that can look like reading scriptures (like The Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ), taking a deep and long breath with Him on my mind, savoring a sunset, practicing gratitude, praying for help, asking someone to share a spiritual thought, connecting with others who are seeking to know Him better, sharing the love and hope I have felt from Him with someone else.

How do you bring Jesus and peace into your life?

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