Indescribable Indexing

Recently last week I started Indexing.  Now I started FamilySearch way before that but it wasn't until last week I started. It all began with one simple practise with Brad, and since then I have been really into it, doing at least a batch a day. My first major project were Pennsylvania Obituaries. Brad warned me it was going to be very difficult but I made it through. Now the interesting thing about it is finding out how they died, which I discovered after one of the Obituaries says about a man who committed suicide. It also warned it wasn't for children or the tender-hearted. Because I kept my sadness silent, Mom called me hard-hearted (not the sinful kind.) Other projects I did included Jamaican marriages, Massachusetts births and London Registers of Electors. If you haven't started indexing, try it. It's a wonderful service completely worth your time.

Our Saviour's Love

I AM SO SORRY! I WAS CAUGHT UP WITH THE HOLIDAYS AND NEW YEAR THAT I NEARLY FORGOT ABOUT THE BLOG!!! Anyway Here's my first 2014 post. The Sunday after Christmas, I was asked to do a talk, and for those who missed out, here it is

Our Saviour's Love

Today I have been invited to speak to you about the saviours love. I’d like to share one of my favourite examples of seeing the Saviour’s Love in the world. 

One of my favourite parts of general conference is watching the World Report in between sessions: and one of my favourite parts about the World Report is hearing about the Church’s humanitarian service. 

Around the world the church and it’s members share the Saviour’s love by providing aid to the victims of natural disasters. Some of the examples in the last year include Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, support to Syrian refugees and help with the floods in southern Alberta. 

I watched a video that talked about some saints in the Philippines. They had experienced death and devastation but they still had faith. One man said they experienced so much destruction but had faith, and felt hope. God answered his prayers and his family

 was spared. 

Its like the words in the hymn Our Saviour’s Love

Our Saviors Love

shines like the sun with perfect light

As from above

It breaks through clouds of strife

Lighting our way

It leads us back into his sight

Where we may stay

To share eternal life 

An example of the saviours love is found in 1 Nephi 11: 8 - 25 (better known as the story of the iron rod.) Here, Nephi is learning about his father’s vision of the tree of life. In says in verse 25 … “And it came to pass that I beheld the rod of iron, which my father had seen, was the word of God which lead unto the fountain of living waters, or the tree of life; which waters are a representation of the love of God.” This verse means that our father in heaven loves us so much, he sends prophets, so that we may grip the iron rod and guide ourselves to the tree of life, so we can live with God once more and avoid temptation. 

Also in D&C 20:31, it says… “And we know also, that sanctification through grace of our Lord and Saviour is just and true and all those who love and serve God with all their might, minds and strength.” 

He loves so much that he sent his only beloved son down to Earth to perform miracles; Curing leprosy and all manner of diseases, even causing the blind to see, the deaf to hear, the dumb to speak, the lame to walk, cleansing sinners and even raising the dead. Later he atoned for all of our sins in the Garden of Gethsemane where he sweated drops of blood, and then later betrayed, where back in Jerusalem where he was condemned by his own people, and was mocked, beaten, reviled and later crucified on the cross, and risen from the tomb after three days so we may live again.

It’s a good thing to call yourself a member of the Church of Jesus Christ, but it’s a better to show your a member of the church by showing the saviours love to others. 

Our prophet recently spoke of the love of our saviour.  President Thomas S. Monson said “Our celebration of Christmas should be a reflection of the love and selflessness taught by the saviour. Giving, not getting, brings to full bloom the Christmas spirit. We feel more kindly one to another. We reach out in love to help those less fortunate. Our hearts our softened. Enemies are forgiven. Friends remembered and God obeyed.

One way our family has experienced the Saviour’s love in our lives is through the adoption of my new sister Maylia. The adoption wasn’t easy and took many years. Over the years we prayed, fasted, and hoped, and finally just before Christmas my parents brought her home. 

Maylia came from an orphanage in southern China. She was found by the police as an infant. She had some health problems including a hole in her heart . We don’t know why her mother left her but we don’t think it was because she wasn’t loved, but because her mother loved her so much and just couldn’t take care of her.  

It metaphorical terms Sometimes this is like us. Sometimes we might feel abandoned or alone. But, in fact the saviour loves us very much, and wants to fill all the holes in our hearts.

She also adapted well to her new environment a lot better and quicker than we thought, and we’re grateful for it. I think it’s really exciting to have a new sister and I love he very much.

I like to bear my testimony, I know god loves us no matter what, I know that we can live with him again, I know Joseph Smith restored the gospel. 

In the name of Jesus Christ, 

Amen