Heart Singing

Today in church we sang this song.  Oh how my heart sings with it.

This afternoon I got to hear "Sister Sally" share her witness of Yeshua.  I haven't finished it yet but have heard about half so far.  My heart is also singing with some of the new things I learned, particularly how Jesus will speak to us in our learning language.

For example, if we are visual learners, we may learn through visions or dreams.  If we are auditory learners, we may learn through audible lessons.  People who are kinesthetic learners may learn through feeling and touch.  WOW!  What a rich insight!!!  I never considered this before.  Perhaps I ought to more intensely explore my own gifts and talents and expect that I may find Jesus waiting there for me.  I highly recommend giving her witness a listen.

From the song above, Even So Come, by Chris Tomlin:

All of creation

All of the earth

Make straight a highway

A path for the Lord

Jesus is coming soon

Call back the sinner

Wake up the saint

Let every nation shout of Your fame

Jesus is coming soon

Like a bride waiting for her groom

We'll be a Church ready for You

Every heart longing for our King

We sing

Even so come

Lord Jesus, come

Even so come

Lord Jesus, come

There will be justice

All will be new

Your name forever

Faithful and true

Jesus is coming soon

Like a bride waiting for her groom

We'll be a Church ready for You

Every heart longing for our King

We sing

Even so come

Lord Jesus, come

Even so come

Lord Jesus, come

So we wait

We wait for You

God, we wait

You're coming soon

So we wait

We wait for You

God, we wait

You're coming soon

LOVE!!!!!

Thou Shalt Not Bear False Witness

In the Old Testament we have the ten commandments.  One of them is often abbreviated for easy remembering, to read "Thou shalt not bear false witness."  In reality, the whole verse points to interactions with one's neighbor, but for the sake of this post, we'll roll with the abbreviated version, as there is truth to be found in it.

Thou shalt not bear false witness.  Typically I have equated this to lying, however what if we take it in exactness.  There may be some variations with translation to consider, but I'm not going there.

Thou = you/me
Shalt = will
Not = not
Bear = speak or convey
False = untrue
Witness (n) = an account of something factual

What if to not bear false witness was interpreted as not acting as a witness when we have not been one?

For example, let's say I come upon a scene of an accident of some sort.  I did not witness it, but I assert to the police when they come that the driver of one car was to blame, over another.  Let's imagine that I am related to the blameless victim, and am pointing the finger of blame at the other car.  Am I an accurate witness?

Under what conditions is it safe to say that we "know" something?  Does the term only cover areas which are witnessed with the five senses?  Or can we say we know something we have felt with senses beyond the physical ones? 

Mosiah 18:9 - Taking a Stand

Dear Josten,

My, hasn't it been busy this past week?  You would think we could've fit time in for these letters every day, but my, it's been crazy!  I hope you don't mind a little delay in your turn for a message.

I wanted to talk to you about your sweet nature, which is in concordance with several commandments.  Today I read in Mosiah 18:9, and it reminds me of you.

Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—

This is part of a beautiful story of a people living in exile, who wanted to draw closer to the Savior.  They were worshiping in secret, because if the king of the land knew what they were doing, they would have been executed.

When they decided that part of Christ's gospel involved baptism, they willingly agreed to do so, and were (shortly after this verse) baptized by Alma, who had been given authority to do so.  There is a pattern given later on about how that was done.

(This Minerva Teichert's Alma Baptizes in the Waters of Mormon.  I absolutely love it, and all her work.  Photo source.)

What I love about this verse and you, is that here we learn that part of the commitment we make to God is to be willing to mourn with those that mourn, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort.  To stand as a witness of God at all times, things, and places, even if it means ridicule, persecution, or ever death.  If we do this, we may be "redeemed" of God, numbered with those of the first resurrection, and have eternal life.

This isn't complicated, although sometimes it seems that way.  In school, you have a very good friend that seems to get picked on.  A way that you honor this part of God's wishes is that you stand up for him.  You don't join in the teasing or bullying that he receives, and you are willing to stand up for him, even if it means other kids tease you too.  It's not right to pick on others, and you inherently know that.  I love that you care enough to do this for your friend.  I would think this would be a common trait, but it's not always the way I think.  I am thankful for your stalwart and fearless nature in this regard.  I think sometimes you take after your mom, but have a bit less fear.

You have also shown a willingness to stand up for God.  Even when your friends use His name improperly, you likewise are willing to ask them to stop it.  This is an easy commandment, but so many do not honor or respect it.  I love that you do, and are sensitive to it.  God will bless you for that.

Love you.
~Mom<3