TRADITION!

"Because of our Traditions everyone knows who he is, and what God expects him to do."

This has always been a favorite play of mine. Fiddler on the Roof. It's a story about Anetevka. A small Jewish town. One of the themes of the play is Tradition and how it can play a major part in helping us remember who we are, what our purpose is, and who God is. It also shows how breaking traditions can be good or bad.

The Holidays are coming up. Each year I like to take some time to reflect on my traditions. Not only my thanksgiving, christmas, etc. traditions, but also the traditions of each day, week, month, etc. The traditions that have made me who I am.

Some of these more often occuring traditions are things like family scripture study, family prayer, family home evening, attending church meetings, having dinner together. The list goes on. Each one of these things have helped me to become who I am today. Each one seems small and insignificant, yet day by day, week by week they add up to influence my character. I'm so grateful for these traditions that have helped to know who I am and what God expects of me.

But I also like the larger traditions. You know what i'm talking about. The days of preperation and cleaning just for those few hours when the family gets together for that huge feast on Thanksgiving day. The hours and hours of shopping, wrapping, and gifting presents just for those 10 minutes on the morning of December 25th when all that wrapping comes flying off and everyone's all smiles.

I like those.

Some traditions maybe don't even make sense to others. Like at my house, every weekend (either Friday or Saturday night usually) was Nintendo tournament. All the kids and Dad (every once in awhile Mom) would get together for some Super Smashing, Mario Karting, Mini Gaming FUN. Yeah it was pretty awesome. Grab your Wii-mote, pull up a chair (or sit on the floor), grab a snack (but don't get it on the controller!), and get ready for some fun.

"Without our Traditions our lives would be as shaky as a Fiddler on a Roof"

What's a Tradition you have that has made you who you are?

Healing Waters

There’s been a couple things on my mind lately; two things that sorta collided and became one and then inspired this post. The first was a DVD that I got from a past companion called Small and Simple Things. The next was a letter from my recent convert, Stephanie. I’ve posted the video “Small and Simple Things” below. The song is called Healing Waters. This song combined with this video shows how the gospel can change someone’s life.

I love that song. Healing Waters. What an appropriate analogy for baptism. Baptism represents coming unto Christ, Following Him, and entering into a new, sinless life. Baptism is a beautiful ceremony where people are truly coming unto Christ, repenting of their sins, and making a determination to follow Christ until the end. It truly has the power to change lives and heal the wounded soul.

I've been thinking more about baptism lately because of a letter I received from Stephanie where she explained some of the blessings she had received since her own baptism. It was great to see the growth in her and feel the power of her testimony. I pondered how the gospel truly did change her life and heal her wounded heart. I asked Stephanie to share her experience. As you read, listen for how the gospel healed her heart and helped her gain the understanding that our Heavenly Father wants for each of us, His children. 

We each are on our own spiritual journey here in life. We are each being prepared to receive the blessings our Heavenly Father has waiting for us. 

Stephanie was searching. She says "When I was 15, I lost my mom to cancer. Since her passing, it was very difficult for me to still feel her presence, something I desperately needed. My mother had been everything to me and I felt as if I had lost her forever. The missionaries used the gospel and explained how this wasn’t true. She wasn’t gone; she was just in another place waiting for me to join her. What was more, she could still see me, was still watching me, and if I just listened, I’d be able to feel her next to me always.

  

I was prepared for the gospel because I was at a point in my life where I needed to be sure of the promises the gospel gave. Though I hadn’t known about all the promises – eternal life and happiness, being with my family forever, never having to face a challenge alone and being able to bear all the challenges that came my way – I was ready to take them into my heart the moment they were made aware to me."

That's what the gospel is about. Healing wounded souls. Binding up the broken hearted. Giving hope to those who are willing to follow the Lord Jesus Christ. He truly has the power to heal us as far as we let Him. As we make that covenant of baptism; entering the waters in the footsteps of our Savior; we are allowing Him to Heal us, that we, with the power and assistance of His grace, may be whole. This is why we share the gospel: To bring others unto the One who can heal them. No matter who, it is. No matter what the hurt. No matter where they live. Jesus Christ, The Redeemer, The Savior, has the power, perfect love, and ability to heal us.

Our life on earth is but a short moment in contrast to the broad expanse of eternity. Our time is short, yet so important. The way is rough. There will be heartache. Yet I know that our Savior is there to heal us. Let each one of us not waste a minute to come unto Him that we may be healed.