Prince of Peace Liz Lemon Swindle, Prince of Peace As the world speaks less of Jesus Christ, let us speak more of Him. - Neil L. Andersen, "We Talk of Christ," Ensign, November 2020 Elder Andersen also said this, " Like a guiding star in a clear, dark sky, Jesus Christ lights our way. He came to earth in a humble stable. He lived a perfect life. He healed the sick and raised the dead. He was a friend to the forgotten. He taught us to do good, to obey, and to love one another. He was crucified on a cross, rising majestically three days later, allowing us and those we love to live beyond the grave. With His incomparable mercy and grace, He took upon Himself our sins and our suffering, bringing forgiveness as we repent and peace in the storms of life. We love Him. We worship Him. We follow Him. He is the anchor of our souls." We have spent the last twelve days thinking on Christ through these posts. Now we challenge you to follow Elder Andersen's invitation to sp...

 Christmas & Easter Liz Lemon Swindle, The Lord's Prayer There would be no Christmas if there had not been Easter. The babe Jesus of Bethlehem would be but another baby without the redeeming Christ of Gethsemane and Calvary, and the triumphant fact of the Resurrection. - Gordon B. Hinckley President Hinckley shared a touching story in this First Presidency message from the December 2000 issue of the  Ensign. Please take a few moments to read it here:  "The Wondrous and True Story of Christmas" "O Come O Come Emmanuel" Translated by John Mason Neale "O Come O Come Emmanuel" Lyrics O  come, O come, Emmanuel And ransom captive Israel That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel. O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free Thine own from Satan's tyranny From depths of Hell Thy people save And give them victory o'er the grave Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel. O co...

 Worth of a Soul Liz Lemon Swindle, The Worth of a Soul Human beings as a whole have a tendency to label each other or to classify them. But that's not how Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ see us. There's a wonderful little story written by Max Lucado, You Are Special .  The people in the story, the Wemmicks, had stickers, grey dots and gold stars. All day, the Wemmicks would put a dot or a star on the other people around them. The ones who are pretty or talented would get the gold stars, while those who aren't as pretty or as talented would get the grey dots. This story focused on Punchinello and a Wemmick he met, Lucia. What was very special about Lucia was that she had absolutely no dots or stars on her. In fact, they wouldn't stay on at all! When Punchinello asked her how, she told him she visited Eli, the woodcarver that lived up on top of the hill, every day. Punchinello gathered up his courage and visited Eli, and ... you'll have to read the rest of the story...

Watching Over Me  Liz Lemon Swindle, When Did He Know After the Wise Men came to honor Jesus, an angel visited Joseph in a dream, telling him, " Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him" ( Matthew 2:13 ). Joseph listened and they escaped to Egypt. Heavenly Father was watching over this little family. They were poor, but because of the wise men's visit and the gifts they gave to the Christ child, they had the means to flee to Egypt. We are Heavenly Father's children, and He watches over us just like He did with Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. When we are obedient and pray for His help, He will  help us. Though it may not always be what we expect, it is always done with love and hope.  "Star of the East" Written by George Cooper "Star of the East" Lyrics Star of the East, oh Bethlehem's star, Guiding us on to heaven afar! Sorrow and ...

Following the Star Liz Lemon Swindle, The Holy Men The Wise Men of the East knew the prophecies about Jesus Christ and His birth. They kept watch for the new star to appear, just like the Nephites did in the Americas. As soon as the new star appeared, the Wise Men went out to search for Jesus Christ to honor Him. Their examples of knowing the prophecies and being watchful are examples we should emulate. We live in the last days; we are preparing for the Lord's Second Coming. We need to know the prophecies about Jesus Christ and we need to be watchful for the signs, just like the Wise Men were, so when the time comes, we are ready to bow down before our King and honor Him. We Three Kings Written by John Henry Hopkins, Jr. "We Three Kings" Lyrics We three kings of Orient are Bearing gifts we traverse afar. Field and fountain, moor and mountain, Following yonder star. O star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright, Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us...

Trusting Liz Lemon Swindle, Child of Grace Joseph and Jesus Liz Lemon Swindle "The relationship of Joseph and Jesus is easily overlooked. The scriptures say little about this man who humbly accepted the role of father to the Son of God. I am sure there were nights when Joseph held Jesus in his arms and, feeling the weight of his responsibility, looked heavenward and prayed, 'He is not my son. He is Yours. Please, Father, help me. "We too may feel the weight and responsibility God has given us in raising His children , and we too look heavenward and offer the prayer of every parent, 'They are not my children. They are Yours. Please, Father, help me.'" The First Christmas Spirit  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints made a video about Joseph reflecting on his experiences raising Jesus.  "When Joseph Went to Bethlehem"  Written by Bessie Saunders Spencer,  Children's Songbook, p. 38 "When Joseph Went to Bethlehem" Lyrics 1. Whe...

 Silent Night Liz Lemon Swindle, Silent Night "Silent Night, Love's Pure Light" Sister Sharon Eubank from the Relief Society General Presidency during a First Presidency Christmas Devotional gave a brief talk about how Heavenly Father loves us so much and He knows we will make mistakes, so He sent us His Son to help us. Watch the talk in ASL here:  Silent Night, Love's Pure Light Watch President Russell M. Nelson play the song "Silent Night," accompanying Claire Crosby who sings it. "Silent Night" Lyrics Silent night, holy night All is calm, all is bright Round yon virgin mother and child Holy infant, so tender and mild Sleep in heavenly peace Sleep in heavenly peace Silent night, holy night  Shepherds quake at the sight Glories stream from heaven afar Heavenly hosts sing alleluia Christ the Savior is born Christ the Savior is born

 A Gift to Give Liz Lemon Swindle, Swaddling Today was the ward Christmas activity where we donated onesies to Joyful Welcome for the preemies and newborns in the hospital.  ...When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God - Mosiah 2:17  Christmastime is a time of giving gifts. This tradition hearkens back to when the Wise Men gave Jesus the gifts of frankincense, gold, and myrrh. Sometimes we may feel like there is not enough money to give the kind of gift we want to give, but there is something we do have to give - it is the gift of self. Jesus Christ was born on this earth because He loves us more than His own life, and He was willing to come here to live for each one of us, to atone for each one of us, to die for each one of us, and to rise for each one of us. We can show gratitude for His gift to us by giving of ourselves to others, whether it's a smile, a listening ear (or eye), a hug, a little bit of time, a prayer, or a so...

 Fear Not Liz Lemon Swindle, Fear Not Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy ... For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. - Luke 2:10 - 11 We have no reason to fear when the Lord is with us. He brings only joy and love, goodness and light. We need only to go to Him and let Him guide us. We need to see, hear, and know Him, that He is Christ the Lord.  Laura Osnes sings with the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square "Do You Hear What I Hear?" Written by Noel Regney and Gloria Shayne Baker Said the night wind to the little lamb, Do you see what I see Way up in the sky, little lamb, Do you see what I see A star, a star, dancing in the night With a tail as big as a kite With a tail as big as a kite Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy, Do you hear what I hear Ringing through the sky, shepherd boy, Do you hear what I hear A song, a song, high above the trees With a voice as big as the sea With a voice as big as th...

 Journey Liz Lemon Swindle, Journey The First Christmas Journey by Christina Crosland, The Ensign , December 2018  We tell the Christmas story every year, but how often do we picture the journey that Mary and Joseph took?  Their faith and sacrifices are significant parts of the story. 1.  Luke 1:26–27, 30–31 Mary was from Nazareth, a village of 400–500 people. 1  To the world, she was a simple peasant girl. And yet she and Joseph accepted their calling to raise the Son of God. 2.  Luke 2:4–5 Traveling to Bethlehem would have taken at least four to five days, 2  and the scriptures give no hint of a donkey accompanying them through the rocky hills. Even “great with child,” Mary made the journey with Joseph that fulfilled prophecy: the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (see  Micah 5:2 ). 3.  Luke 2:7–11 In Bethlehem, Joseph and Mary were without their own home or crib to place the King of kings. They must have felt great humility as they witnes...

 She Shall Bring Forth a Son Liz Lemon Swindle, She Shall Bring Forth a Son "God's plan for Mary was not something she had asked for!" ( Strathearn, Gaye. "Mary, the Mother of Jesus." Ensign )  She probably had a million questions running through her mind and had a jumble of emotions in her heart when she found out she would be the mother of the Son of God. She probably didn't know what the future would hold, and what it would be like to raise Jesus. However, the appearance of Gabriel probably gave her reassurance in the fact that he came to her from the Lord, and she most likely received guidance in how to raise Jesus, just like many righteous mothers nowadays do. Her example of courage and strength, despite the unknown, should be an example for us as mothers, as sisters in Relief Society, as women. How often in our lives do things come that we didn't expect and most certainly didn't ask for? We should remember that the Lord is  with us, He always w...

12 Days of Christ The RS Presidency wants to share with you a way to bring us closer to Jesus Christ at this time of the year. Each night for twelve days, a picture and a brief message will be posted and emailed out. We hope this will help strengthen the spirit of Christmas for you. Liz Lemon Swindle, Be It Unto Me And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to … Mary, and said... behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shall call his name JESUS... Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be... And the angel answered...  with God nothing shall be impossible . And Mary said … be it unto me according to thy word . - Luke 1:26 - 27, 31, 34, 36 How many times have we faced something that we thought was too hard and felt like we couldn't do it? Mary's example was amazing; she didn't complain or say she wasn't worthy or good enough. We can be like her and move forward with faith and say, as Mary said, "Be it unto me accordi...