Brightening My Light

Let every heart prepare him room . ~"Joy to the World" Son of God, love's pure light Radiant beams from thy holy face, With the dawn of redeeming grace. ~"Silent Night" Where meek souls will receive him, still The dear Christ enters in.  ~"O Little Town of Bethlehem" Born that man no more may die; Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth. ~"Hark! the Herald Angels Sing" Lord, with the angels we too would rejoice; Help us to sing with the heart and voice. ~"Far, Far Away on Judea's Plains" "God is not dead, nor doth he sleep: The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, With peace on earth, good will to men." ~"I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" Sharing Time: What are your favorite words from the Christmas hymns?

An Extensive Sphere of Action The Lord, His Church, families, and communities need the influence of righteous women. In fact, Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught that “every sister in this Church who has made covenants with the Lord has a divine mandate to help save souls, to lead the women of the world, to strengthen the homes of Zion, and to build the kingdom of God.” 1 Some sisters may wonder if they can accomplish such lofty aims. But as Eliza R. Snow (1804–87), second Relief Society general president, explained, “There is no sister so isolated, and her sphere so narrow but what she can do a great deal towards establishing the Kingdom of God upon the earth.” 2 Sister Snow also taught that Relief Society was organized “for the accomplishment of every good and noble work.” 3 Participation in Relief Society enlarges our spheres of influence by giving each sister opportunities to build faith, to strengthen families and homes, and ...

Did you watch the First Presidency Christmas Devotional last Sunday? Wasn't it wonderful? It's one of the few things that light the Christmas spirit in me (I'm somewhat of a Scrooge, for those of you who don't know me). I am watching it again now because I missed some of it and wanted to remember the parts that touched me so I can share them with you: Opening & Closing Love the wintry blue dresses instead of red. The French horns in "The First Noel" sounded heavenly. The entire song was angelic. MoTab sang "Silent Night" with much reverence and sincerity. The harp was beautiful. President Uchtdorf "Don't ever play with fire--an important message with literal and figurative implications for everyone, not only children." "The Lord does not expect that we commit to move mountains, but He does require that we bring as gifts our best efforts to move ourselves, one foot in front of the other, walking in the ways He has p...