A Psalm

                                                                 A Psalm 

Father of Lights, Creator of All that Delights

Thou hast whispered to my heart that I am Thy child.  

There exists a veil between me and the childhood I spent at Thy side
But I can still hear the lullabies of the spirit, soothing me once again, as long ago.

Thou dost nurture me still through beauty, words, and music. 
Thou hast placed guiding stars of friends and mentors along my path. 

I thank Thee for summer days, the scent of rain, and golden sunsets. 
I thank Thee for my family and the promise of eternity together.  

I love Thee for seeing me so clearly, and knowing my heart so completely.  
And I love Thee for the gentle ways Thou teachest me to know Thy heart as well.

I know Thou hast rejoiced in my victories and smiled at my heart’s delights. 
And even as Thou hast consecrated them for my good, wept at my sorrows.

Thou art my North Star throughout change.  
And the champion of my best self. 

I thank Thee the most for the gift of Thy Son. 
For “The Way, the Truth and the Life.” 

I am grateful that through Him, came the gift of repentance.  
For it is the very way I grow and thrive and flourish. 

And I strive to know Thee better, I take a look deep inside. 
I look for traces of spiritual DNA and see how I may one day be like Thee. 

For I know that I am Thy child, and all the best in me flows from Thee. 
And there are lights and delights I will discover in myself, for eons of time to come.

Reading The Book of Mormon in the Temple

 Sometimes when one of 101 things is over, it was such an extraordinary experience that I wish I could do it all over again. That’s what this one was like. I was sad to have it over! It wasn’t long after I made the goal to read The Book of Mormon that I knew I what I wanted to do this time around. I wanted to read the entire Book of Mormon in the temple.  

I gained my testimony of The Book of Mormon at a youth conference when I was 14 years old. For three days, we lived stories from The Book of Mormon and it was when I was walking back to my cabin after living the story of Abinadi in King Noah’s court, that I had one of the clearest and most important impressions of my life came in three simple words. “It all happened.”  

Those words came back to me during this experience. I read when I could as a patron. I read on my breaks as an ordinance worker and any other chance I got. When I read, it seemed as though I transported into the world of the Nephites and the Lamanites. It was all so real to me. It was like I could see their faces and was experiencing their joys and sorrows. My favorite place to read was the small quiet sister ordinance worker’s lounge. It has one of my favorite peaceful paintings in it and soft fuzzy blankets and comfy sofas.

I couldn’t wait for my breaks so that I could sit in the lounge with one of the blankets on me and disappear into that world. I felt like Bastian from the old Neverending Story movie, completely enveloped in this extraordinary book. I could see the Tree of Life so clearly in my mind. It was like I was there when I read the words of King Benjamin’s speech. I was thrilled as Moroni raised the Title of Liberty, felt Abish’s overwhelming joy as she witnessed the conversion of her people, felt Helaman’s relief as he realized is 2060 “sons” were safe, and I felt Mormon’s utter devastation as the Nephites were destroyed. I felt chills during Christ’s visit to the America and wished so badly that I could have been there to see Him and to be healed by Him.  

As I reached Moroni 10, I decided to finish in one of the chapels in the temple. I was all by myself and I just listened to organ playing hymns and soaked in the words of Moroni. I prayed that I can always remember “how merciful the Lord has been to the children of men” and that I will always seek Jesus in my life. It was a defining and beautiful moment.  

I know the stories are real. The people lived, laughed, wept, danced, learned, and loved. I know the principles and doctrines are real. I know they are the word of God. I know that Joseph Smith translated The Book of Mormon by the gift and power of God. I know Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are real and The Book of Mormon is designed to help us become close them. I am so grateful for the chance that I had to read The Book of Mormon in the temple. It truly was a life changing experience!!