Bev Psalm 81: Fear Not

Wars and contentions are worldwide

Mountains may crash down; volcanoes erupt

Whirlwinds might carry all away

Buildings could fall, bricks and all

Thunder and lightning shake

Earthquakes and fires rage

Waters may rise and floods inundate

Darkness may seem to reign supreme

But if ye are prepared, ye shall not fear

Let not ignorance or pride cause you to stumble

Do not be led by the devil’s flaxen cord

Look unto Jesus Christ

Stand firmly upon His rock, a firm foundation

Repent daily of sins large and small

Strive to be better, then best

You will then find peace and rest

Obey His commandments

Partake of His goodness

Worship Him who made thee

Watch mighty miracles, signs and wonders

Among the children of men according to their faith

The Holy Ghost bears witness of God’s love

Charity is the pure love of Christ

Fear not! God is with you.

photo by James Tanner

Bev Psalm 80: Friday the 13th

 

Friday the thirteenth.

My mom’s favorite day!

She looked superstition in the face and laughed.

As I read the Book of Mormon, 4 page a day, I write psalms.

I love Isaiah and understand these Isaiah chapters found in 2 Nephi.

Can you find the phrases from today’s read?

Nephi says even his people didn’t “get” this revered 

   ancient prophet who saw our day.

Why? Because you need the Spirit of prophecy to understand.

Nephi spoke plainly, and so will I.

In the latter-days the prophecies of Isaiah shall be fulfilled when men 

   will know of surety, at the times when they shall come to pass.

Christ, as foretold, will be born into the world.

They will reject Him and crucify Him.

After 3 days in the tomb, He will rise with healing

Jerusalem will be destroyed; the Jews scattered.

The Lord will set His hand again the second time

With a marvelous work and a wonder,

He will bring forth His words to them.

The Book of Mormon, Pearl of Great Price and the 

   Doctrine and Covenants, indeed, have come forth

To convince the Jew and Gentile that He is the true Messiah.

That His name will be Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Nephi and I labor diligently to write to persuade our children 

   and also our brethren, to believe in Christ and be reconciled to 

   God for that it is by grace that we are saved after all we can do.

I think that I’ll name this black cat “Grace” to celebrate my mom’s favorite day,

Friday the 13^th

Bev Psalm 79: Earth’s Purpose

The purpose of my psalm writing comes from a

   commandment of God last December.

He reminds me that while I cannot do what

I’ve always done, I can do what matters most: Obey.

Help other people in their deserts of trial and adversity.

God’s purpose for this earth is to provide a place for these trials 

   and testing moments for his people.

In His wisdom, knowing all things, He wishes for us to submit to His will.

Suffering all our droughts or in all our wants then

   recognizing that He has our backs.

He has set up an Ensign to the nations.

He is gathering His sheep from the four corners of the earth.

He is helping us focus on His second coming and the Millenium.

They shall sing and shout with the armies of heaven.

The wicked will perish; Lucifer will be cast out.

The Lord’s hand is stretched out still.

Pools of living water will refresh the righteous.

Burdens will be lifted and shoulders weighed down will rise with ease.

Pathways in the desert will become straight and

Lead us to life eternal if we

Look unto Christ.

Bev Psalm 78: Hand Stretched Out

When we have given up our pride

Become humble and teachable

Study the scriptures and find joy and light

The season of Christ’s birth will bring peace

If only for a little while

We wish it to last

Fortunately, the Lord promises the righteous

That His hand is stretched out still.

When we seek the Lord of Hosts

Follow the leaders who counsel us

Listen to the prophets, seers and present-day revelators

   and believe their words, we’ll see

Fortunately, His hand is stretched out still.

When the briers and the thorns will

Turn into fruited fields and

We find our hunger for truth

Being fulfilled, yes, even the poor eat.

Fortunately, His hand is still stretched out.

The orphans and widows are cared for

Fast offerings increase to help worldwide

When disasters, floods and earthquakes strike

Do we flee? No.

Fortunately, the Lord’s hand is stretched out

through time and eternity

And at the veil, we clasp His hand.

Then He promises us, health, strength and

   bonds with family.

Our forefathers and our descendants

His power enables us to become heirs to

   Jesus Christ in His father’s kingdom.

Just think, joint heirs with our Lord and Savior!

Now, our hands are stretched out in similitude.

Bev Psalm 77: Light the World

The world is full of wickedness.

Trouble and strife afflict people worldwide.

At this time of year, we give thanks

God gives us the breath of life.

In compassion, we reach out to help others.

Give our “gold and silver” to the poor and needy.

Light the world with Giving Machines

Proceeds help break the shackles of poverty,

Feed and clothe people locally and globally.

Invite others to join with us in this

Christlike service to humanity.

All will be well with you and yours.

Problems will not necessarily go away, but

Joy will come from feeling closer to the Lord.

Bev Psalm 76: Do You See What I See?

Isaiah wrote about the pride and worldliness of the daughters of Zion in latter-days.

We think of words used in our day, but his descriptive listing of material possessions are difficult to understand.

Jacob in the Book of Mormon thought this was so important that he included it in his writings.

Mormon included it in his compilation of message for us his readers many hundreds of years later.

A deeper study says that the translators for the King James Version of the bible in 1611 used words of their day and culture.

However, if you look at the Hebrew words, they are often so very different.

We tend to think in terms of our day.

My final reflections on this particularly unusual, very long listing by Isaiah of the worldly possessions 

of His daughters of Zion, not women of the world, is this:

Our pride, reflected to the world by our jewelry, many changes of costly clothing and idol worship, is warned about by God.

His daughters should be a light to the world especially as it pertains to modesty, moral cleanliness, how we spend our money and our time.

In 1962 right after Thanksgiving, a Christmas song was written that began with “Said the night-wind to the little lamb, Do you see what I see?”

It has become a classic. I see what Isaiah, Jacob and Mormon saw.

Beyond these warnings I see hope.

The daughters of Zion have an important role to play in these latter days. One of modesty, wisdom and centering on Christ. Be a light unto the world.

Bev Psalm 75: Day of Feasting

 How very appropriate that this day’s reading for Inklings challenge of

   reading 4 pages in the Book of Mormon daily, would land on this Saturday.

Jacob beckons his brethren to come feast with him.

Today our Stake annual BBQ is held at the Binghampton Family Park. 

   They prepare beef and pork ahead of time, served with BBQ sauce,

   coleslaw, beans, and other side dishes with dessert afterwards.

   Families come, children play games and much socializing happens 

   around the picnic tables.

Jacob says “Come, buy…” and eat.

His was symbolic and money was not needed.

However, at our BBQ feast we can buy bags of shredded meat 

   to take home and divide into smaller portions to freeze for later meals.

The Lord asks us to labor diligently and to remember the 

   words He has spoken.

Feast upon these spiritual things and draw near to the 

   Holy One of Israel.

If long lists of “to do” and “not to do” overwhelm you,

Divide them up into smaller “bags.”

Pray to know which ones to work on by day.

Give thanks unto Him by night.

Then your soul will delight in fatness.

Your thirst will be satisfied.

Let today be one of feasting on His word and drinking in

    the waters of salvation.

Find joy with the Saints of the Most High God.