When I was very young, my family would visit Cascade Springs, located at the top of American Fork Canyon.  I remember how my uncle helped us find the source of the spring water.  We walked along small rivers and past waterfalls until we reached the higher ground where we found the wellspring ––a place where the water flowed out of seemingly impermeable rock before it began cascading down the moutnain.

The water never stopped; there was an overflowing fullness.  In fact, each day seven million gallons of water comes through that rock base to feed the springs below.

Every time I read section 58 of Isaiah, I think about Cascade Springs.

Let me show you why.

There are great promises given to those who live the true law of the fast.  They are carefully explained within this chapter.  First, I love the four reasons for fasting defined within these verses…to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke.

We are also reminded of the importance of fast offerings in relation to the law of the fast…to deal thy bread to the hungry, to remember the poor, and the naked, and those within our circle of influence who are struggling.

And then the blessings…

Your light will break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily

Thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward. (I love that word… take a moment to read the footnote.)

When you call, the Lord shall answer…

When you cry, the Lord shall say, Here I am

Thy light will rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday…(answers in the darkest moments…light…)

And then my very favorite verse…the verse that reminds me so much of Cascade Springs…

“And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones:  and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.”  (Isaiah 58:11)

The footnotes for that verse speak of Divine Guidance, strength, and an abundant life.

The blessings that come from living the true law of the fast.

I love the thought of the Lord guiding us continually.

But I especially love the image of the spring of water, whose waters fail not.

Just like Cascade Springs…an overflowing fullness.  Abundance.

Every time I read this chapter I pause for just a moment to consider the importance of keeping the true law of the fast ––the reasons, the blessings, the promises.

This upcoming fast Sunday I am going to remember this counsel from Isaiah.  I am going to focus a little more on the reasons, I am going to open my heart to recognize the blessings, and perhaps I will be led to remember the Wellspring from whence those blessings flow.

Many years ago I had an experience I will never forget.  I was serving as a visiting teacher.  My assignment was to a woman who was struggling with a trial that had the potential to destroy her life.  I had visit taught this woman for four years.  She was one of my dearest friends.

On this particular night things were not going well.  At 9:30 that evening we ended up at the Bishop’s office over at the Church.  We counseled together with the Bishop for a time, and then, in an attempt to try to find some solutions we called a private counselor this woman had been working with to see if he could help us.  He happened to be driving home from a party with his wife and agreed to come to the church.

He left his wife in the car with a book and spent an hour and a half counseling with this woman, the Bishop and I.  At eleven o’clock that evening we finally came up with a solution.  The course we settled upon would include changes that had the potential to affect the rest of her life for good.

It would require courage.

It would require strength.

It would require great sacrifice.

She had chosen to make the decision that we had all been praying about for weeks.  I was so proud of her, and I found myself humbled by the magnitude of the journey that lay ahead of her, and grateful for the encouragement of a good Bishop and a kind counselor who had helped her reach that decision.  As we prepared to go home, my friend walked over to the counselor, took him by the hand and said, “Thank you for coming.”

I thought of the sacrifice he had made to be there that night.  It wasn’t regular office hours.  His wife had been sitting in the car in a dark parking lot in the middle of winter for an hour and a half.  He had dropped everything to come.  In the quiet recess of my heart I echoed her gratitude, Yes, thank you for coming.

I will never forget his reply.

Most people would have said, “You’re welcome.”

But that wasn’t his response.

My friend said, “Thank you for coming,” and the counselor replied, “You’re worth it.”

He taught a powerful sermon in three simple words.

He knew the potential she had.  In his eyes, she was worth the sacrifice.

As I drove home from that experience I thought to myself, I wonder if I know someone who would sacrifice like that for me if I were in a time of need ––someone who would come to help me under any circumstance because I was worth it, because he saw the potential within me…

Immediately my mind was filled with one of my favorite paintings of the Savior.  He is dressed in white, His arms are outstretched, and as clear as if the painting was right in front of me I could see the prints of the nails in His hands.

Instantly I remembered the scripture found in Isaiah 49:16,

“I will not forget thee.

Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands.”

He will not forget us because we are worth it to Him.

Perhaps as we learn to recognize Him in the daily course of our lives we will find our hearts overflowing with gratitude and in moments of quiet prayer we will say, just as my friend did, “Thank you for coming.”

I can already hear His gentle reply,

“You’re worth it.”

I have a son who is serving a mission in Croatia.

On Sunday he told us about something their whole mission is doing, and the idea was such a good one I decided we should do it in our home too.

The Area Authority who serves over Caleb’s mission recently came to a mission conference.  He told the story of Nephi building the boat, found in 1 Nephi 17.  You remember the story…Laman and Lemuel told Nephi he couldn’t accomplish such a great work.  What did Nephi do?  He immediately began recounting the stories of the Bible…the Red Sea being divided, the manna in the wilderness, the water springing forth from the rock, the light by night, and the guidance through the day.  He gave his brothers evidences of all the great things the Lord had done for the children of Israel.

…the recorded evidences of the hand of the Lord in the lives of His people.

The Area Authority explained to the missionaries that in essence the Scriptures are really a Book of Evidences ––a record kept by the children of the Lord of the moments when they witnessed His hand in their lives.  Then he asked the missionaries to purchase a notebook and to start keeping their own Book of Evidences.

A record of the moments when they recognized the hand of the Lord in their lives.

A journal they could turn to and look back on in moments of doubt, to remind them that the Lord can help them accomplish great things.

The idea is simple, but profound.

Yesterday I went out and purchased an inexpensive journal for each of my children.  I had the store imprint “Book of Evidences” on the cover.  I challenged my family to start keeping a record of our dealings with the Lord… a record of prayers answered, moments when the Spirit is felt, experiences shared with others that build testimony.

The times in our lives when we witness the hand of the Lord.

Perhaps we will learn to recognize moments such as those spoken of in the Book of Isaiah…

“I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring.”  (Isaiah 44:3)

“Remember…I have formed thee; …thou shalt not be forgotten of me.”  (Isaiah 44:21)

“I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight…”  (Isaiah 45:2)

“I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways…”  (Isaiah 45:13)

“I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.”  (Isaiah 46:11)

“Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.”  (Isaiah 47:10)

“My God shall be my strength.”  (Isaiah 49:5)

As we write down these moments, these experiences, these memories, our faith in the Lord will be strengthened.  Perhaps page after page will become filled with our testimony, just as the pages of Isaiah are filled with his…

“I am the Lord, and there is none else…”  (Isaiah 45:5)

“I am the Lord, and there is none else…”  (Isaiah 45:6)

“I am the Lord; and there is none else…”  (Isaiah45:18)

“Remember the former things of old:

for I am God, and there is none else;

I am God, and there is none like me…”

(Isaiah 46:9)

Sometimes you just need to know the Lord is near.

Because sometimes the journey seems long.

And although the scenery is breathtaking, and the companions pleasant, there are moments when you might wonder if you can take another step.

Perhaps it is the heavy load you shoulder.  Maybe it is the fear of what is around the next corner.  It could be that you’re not quite ready for the detour, or the change of course, or the incline that lies ahead.

Do you know those moments?

In those moments I find myself reaching out for the One whose companionship becomes a lifeline.  Just knowing He is there helps me to put one foot in front of the other.

My most favorite scripture is a reminder of the truth that He is with us through every journey, through every wilderness place, through every mountain moment.  He is there through the detours, and the changes of course, and the moments that cause us to climb vertically.

It is a scripture I have carried in my heart through the worst days.

It has gotten me through the longest nights.

It has brought peace through the times of heartache.

“But now thus saith the Lord that created thee…

fear not: for I have redeemed thee,

I have called thee by thy name;

thou art mine.

When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee;

and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee:

when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned;

neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

For I am the Lord thy God,

the Holy One of Israel,

Thy Saviour:

Since thou wast precious in my sight…I have loved thee…

Fear not: for I am with thee…

(Isaiah 43:1-5)

This weekend I accepted an invitation to walk from the Draper Temple to the Salt Lake Temple.

We left the Draper Temple at 7:00 AM.

We arrived at the Salt Lake Temple at 3:00PM.

We walked to honor a man named John Moyle.  You can read his story here.

22 miles in 8 hours.  A day that will be forever etched into my heart.  The walk began with a quote from J. Golden Kimball, “When I think about the temple, every stone in it is a sermon to me.  It tells of suffering, it tells of sacrifice, it preaches ––every rock in it, preaches a discourse.  Every window, every steeple, everything about the temple speaks of the things of God, and gives evidence of the faith of the people who built it.”  We thought about the stone that John Moyle carved, “Holiness to the Lord,” after walking 22 miles on an artificial leg at the age of 77.  That stone became the evidence of his faith.  Holiness to the Lord became his sermon.

We each asked ourselves, “What is my sermon?  For the next several miles we spoke of what our individual sermons were…  Love well, serve well… carpe diem… live with no regrets… enjoy every moment… talk of Christ… stand as a witness… kindness matters…

At mile 11 we stopped for a rest.

We spoke of Saints who built the temples long ago.  ”Come ye, with all your gold, and your silver, and your precious stones, and with all your antiquities; all that will come, may come…to build a house to my name, for the Most High to dwell therein.”  (D&C 124:27-28)

These were Saints who brought their gold, their silver, and their precious stones.  They brought their finest.

We considered what it means to bring our finest to the Lord.  We thought about our service in our callings, our responsibilities for watch care, our willingness to keep covenants and commandments, and we committed to be more like those Saints who have gone before, to bring our finest.

We stopped again at mile 17.

We were foot sore and weary.  We looked to each other for strength.  The conversation turned deeper, we spoke of what it meant to be holy.  From the Bible Dictionary we learned that things that were considered holy were set apart for a sacred purpose.  We began to realize that if we want our life to be holy, then it must be set apart, consecrated, for a sacred purpose.  We considered what that holy purpose might be.

Brigham Young counseled, “Every moment of my life must be holiness to the Lord.”

Every moment of my life must be set apart to the Lord.

Every moment of my life must be consecrated to the Lord.

Holiness comes from consecration…

Now, as we walked, we spoke of holiness.

Every one in the group had shown up that morning in exercise clothing. Every person except one.  He unexpectedly showed up in a kilt.  It was in the last 6 miles that I heard his story.  He made that kilt all by himself.  Ordered the fabric straight from Scotland.  The kilt would be worn only on special occasions.  He knew today was going to be special.  A day he wanted to always remember.  It qualified for wearing the kilt.  A day set apart, consecrated, holy.

“And an highway shall be there and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness…but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men…the redeemed shall walk there…and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”  (isaiah 35:8-10)

I spoke with a girl who moved here from Peru one week ago.  She heard about the walk on her first Sunday here, and she wanted to come.

In broken English she explained that this would be her very first time to see the temple.  She knew she would never forget it.  She worried her muscles were not strong enough for the challenge.  She spoke about the pain as she endured each step, eyes focused on the goal.

I won’t ever forget the girl who walked with her the last mile, arm in arm.  In that moment a new friendship was forged.

On mile 22 I walked behind two brothers.

One brother could barely lift his foot to take another step, it was so blistered.

But giving up was not an option.

The other brother matched his stride step for step.

Speaking softly words of confidence, hand on back to steady…to offer strength.

Ensuring he would reach the end.

“Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.  Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not…”  (Isaiah 35:3-4)

There is something remarkable that happens when you walk the way of holiness.

You learn things about people you never knew before.  You learn things about yourself you never knew before.  This way of holiness is not meant for everyone…only the wayfaring ones…the ones who travel by foot…walking in the footsteps of the Lord.

One who walks in holiness every moment.

On the morning of June 23 we will gather together for a celebration in which we too will walk in the footsteps of the Lord.

Our walk will celebrate the Deliverer of the Old Testament, and the Savior of the New.  We will remember His tender mercies contained in the Book of Mormon, and the call to action found in the Doctrine and Covenants.  As we walk, we will consider the importance of allowing the Living Water to continually flow through our lives.

Last week we began putting together the final plans for the walk.  Details set in place months ago are being molded and shifted.  Inspiration is guiding the process.  My heart is filling with anticipation.  Every day I have received RSVP’s.  Many of us will be walking here in Provo, Utah.  There is a Relief Society group that will walk with us on that same day in New Zealand.  Others will be walking in Nova Scotia, California, and Nevada.  If you would like to join us from where you are just send me an email…we will send you all of the instructions and supplies you need to do the walk from wherever you are.  Some have expressed a desire for a more manageable length of a walk.  This week we are considering several different trails.  They are between 7 and 10 miles in length.  We don’t want anyone to feel excluded from participating, so we will try to find a route that will allow as many to participate as possible.  Next Monday I will include the exact milage and update the training chart.

This is a walk that will be different then any you have taken before.  It will be filled with experiences.  Along the way we will focus on the things of God, we will share evidences of faith, we will speak of Christ, and we will celebrate the opportunity we have to come daily closer to Him through the scriptures.

It feels like something remarkable is about to happen.

Friendship will be forged.  Hearts will be strengthened.

As we walk together in the footsteps of the Lord.

]]> http://dailyclosertochrist.com/2012/05/14/the-way-of-holiness/feed/ 1 http://dailyclosertochrist.com/2012/05/11/the-potters-clay/ http://dailyclosertochrist.com/2012/05/11/the-potters-clay/#comments Fri, 11 May 2012 07:17:31 +0000 admin http://dailyclosertochrist.com/?p=1748 Isaiah 13:18 – Isaiah 21:1

For RSVP instructions and updated information on The Walk…click here

I recently heard a story with a message so profound that I cannot stop reflecting upon it.

It is a story of Michelangelo’s Pieta.

The statue is of Mary, the mother of Jesus, holding her son after the crucifixion.  It is a work both beautiful and profound.  Besides it’s breathtaking artistry, there is something unique about this sculpture…it is the only work Michelangelo ever signed.

There is a story that surrounds the signing of Michelangelo’s name told by his good friend, Giorgio Vasari.  Shortly after the sculpture went on display it is said that Michelangelo overheard someone remark that Michelangelo could not have sculpted it ––he was too young.  Surely it was the work of another sculptor, Cristoforo Solari.  After hearing this remark, in the late hours of the night, Michelangelo chiseled one sentence onto the sash Mary is wearing, “Michaelangelus Bonarotus Florentinus Facibat”  (Michelangelo Buonarroti, Florentine, made this.)  It is said that Michelangelo later regretted his pride in that moment, and vowed never to sign another work.

There is much I love about this story.

I am impressed that Michelangelo was able to convey so much emotion about the atonement in a piece of art at such a young age.  Surely his testimony is captured within the beauty of the work.  I love that should there be any doubt as to the validity of the testimony sculpted by his hands, he signed his name.  Michelangelo made this.  But the part of this story I love over and above any other is that the only work Michelangelo signed was his testimony of the atonement.

This story reminds me that I want to stand as a witness of Christ at all times, even when people don’t believe my testimony. I want to be willing to sign my name to what I know to be true…Emily Freeman believes this.  I want my life to reflect my belief.

But there is a deeper lesson I have learned.  It came quietly as I read the words of Isaiah.

“Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter’s clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not?”  (Isaiah 29:16)

I can’t help but remember those who questioned the skill of the maker who created the Pieta …of Michelangelo …of his ability.  Now my thoughts turn higher.  I think of The Master, the Creator, the Maker and wonder how many of us question our worth in the hands of The Potter.

Isaiah gives us a profound reminder, “…ye have not looked unto the maker thereof, neither had respect unto him that fashioned it long ago.”  (Isaiah 22:11)  The footnote next to the word maker explains, “you have not turned to the Lord.”

I am reminded of the days that I question my worth, my abilities, my importance.

Moments of failure.

Seasons of doubt, discouragement, even despair.

The days when I feel certain that I will never amount to anything.

What does The Maker think to Himself on those days?  Does He wish He could reach down with His fingertip and somehow remind us, “Jesus Christ made this”?

Oh, if we could only see our worth in His eyes.  If we could understand the potential He has in mind for us.  If  we could visualize the beauty of His work in each one of us…individually.

If only we would allow Him to shape us and mold us into who He knows we can be.

What if, on our darkest days, we remembered to look unto the Maker?

How different would our perspective be?

“At that day shall a man look to his Maker, and his eyes shall have respect to the Holy One of Israel.”  (Isaiah 17:7)

]]> http://dailyclosertochrist.com/2012/05/11/the-potters-clay/feed/ 0 http://dailyclosertochrist.com/2012/05/10/sometimes-life-requires-us-to-should-a-heavy-load/ http://dailyclosertochrist.com/2012/05/10/sometimes-life-requires-us-to-should-a-heavy-load/#comments Thu, 10 May 2012 07:36:07 +0000 admin http://dailyclosertochrist.com/?p=1735 Isaiah 8:14 – Isaiah 13:17

For RSVP instructions and updated information on The Walk…click here

When you think of the word yoke, you probably think of the wooden yoke with two sides, used by a pair of oxen.

But have you ever seen a single yoke?

This type of yoke is made of leather, and used by a horse required to pull an oppressive or burdensome load.

It is the thickness that strikes me first.

The sturdiness of the leather, the structure of the design.  Immediately it becomes clear that the yoke cannot be removed by the one who is harnessed in it.  It has been crafted to withstand intense pressure, maximum loads, exhaustive work.

I look at it carefully and I think to myself, I do not ever want to be yoked to something that is oppressive or burdensome…

And I can’t help but notice the strength of the metal rungs…the circular piece that connects the yoke to the heavy load.  Do you see the metal piece, laid within the leather, meant to never be broken?

I focus on the details, the imagery, and I think of my life.

Perhaps we are not yoked to heavy equipment meant to be drug through fields or furrows.  But do we know the oppression of being yoked in our world today?  I think of those who are burdened by debt, by addiction, by sorrow, by fear.

Sometimes life requires us to shoulder a heavy load.

One we might not have chosen.  One from which we cannot get free.

And sometimes the burden comes from the one who entangles, the one who speaks lies, the one who is intent on destroying all that is good.  His burden, his yoke, is one that holds us back, that oppresses, that leads to great sorrow.

If we are yoked to this type of burden, or if someone who is dear to us shoulders this kind of load, we must remember that all is not lost…

“And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.”  (Isaiah 10:27)

Because of the anointing.

The Bible Dictionary explains that “the English word Christ is from a Greek word meaning anointed, and is the equivalent of Messiah, which is from a Hebrew and Aramaic term meaning anointed.”

There is One who can give us rest from bondage…who can remove the yoke.

The Anointed One.

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me…
to preach good tidings unto the meek;
he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
…to comfort all that mourn;
to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning,
the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.”
(Isaiah 61:1-3)

He is Jesus Christ, the Holy One of Israel, the Anointed One.  He offers rest.  Relief from oppression.  He will make our burdens light.  (Matthew 11:30)

“And it shall come to pass…that the Lord shall give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy fear, and from the hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serve.”  (Isaiah 14:3)

Are you in bondage?

Do you know someone close to you who is yoked to something oppressive or burdensome?

Turn to the Lord.  The Anointed One.  Jesus Christ.  The Messiah.  The yoke will be destroyed because of the anointing.

Because of Him.

Through Him.

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And the Lord will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion

and upon her assemblies,

a cloud and smoke by day,

and the shining of a flaming fire by night:

for upon all the glory shall be a defense.

And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat,

and for a place of refuge,

and for a covert from storm and from rain.

(Isaiah 4:5-6)

I cannot read these verses without seeing images in my mind.  As each image is visualized, the message from Isaiah becomes more clear…

And the Lord will create upon every home

and upon every congregation

Divine protection by day,

and the Presence of God by night:  for defense.

And there shall be a temple

for a place of refuge, for relief, for shelter,

from the storms of life, from the intensity, from the constant battle.

I read these verses, and I feel peace.

My testimony of the Lord is strengthened as I trust His promise to create protection, defense, and refuge.  I recognize the counsel within those verses, and I am reminded of the importance of preparing myself to be always worthy to visit the temple ––for it is there that I will find the refuge, the relief, and the shelter He has promised.  I see the prophecy of the promise of the Lord to offer Divine Protection in the Last Days, and I am grateful to live in the time that Isaiah is speaking of.  I feel the Spirit helping me to understand truthfulness of Isaiah’s words through the imagery, through the beauty of the language, and through the footnotes at the bottom of the page.  Within those two verses I experience the greatness of the words of Isaiah.

There, in two verses, I recognize all five of the reasons I love Isaiah.

Do you see how easy it is to love this book?

To love this prophet.

To love these words…

]]> http://dailyclosertochrist.com/2012/05/09/a-place-of-refuge-2/feed/ 2 http://dailyclosertochrist.com/2012/05/08/5-reasons-to-love-the-book-of-isaiah/ http://dailyclosertochrist.com/2012/05/08/5-reasons-to-love-the-book-of-isaiah/#comments Tue, 08 May 2012 07:31:18 +0000 admin http://dailyclosertochrist.com/?p=1698 Songs of Solomon 3:1 – Isaiah 3:2

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There is something you should probably know about me at this point in the juncture…

I love Isaiah.

I really, really do.  It’s my most favorite book of the entire Standard Works.  There are just not words enough to describe my great love of this prophet, his words, or his testimony.

More than anything, by this time two weeks from now, I hope you will develop a love for the book of Isaiah.  My greatest wish is that somehow, within the confines of this simple blog, I can express the things I love the most.

…and that in some small way I will find a way to share the sincerity of the great respect I have for Isaiah…

…and that those thoughts will somehow make it from the innermost place in my heart…

…and that they will find a place in yours.

Perhaps you grew up in the same generation that I did.  It’s the one where everyone told you to skip the Isaiah chapters when you read the Book of Mormon.  When you wondered why, those same people told you that you wouldn’t be able to understand them.

Perhaps you believed them.

If that has been your experience, then I am going to ask you to set that all aside.

Because lots of times people think they don’t like peas, or avocados, or creme brulee.  And then they try the thing they thought they hated.  Really try it, and find out, that after all this time, they actually like those things.  A lot.

There is thanksgiving that comes in those moments.  Gratitude for the simple fact that you won’t go through the rest of your life missing out on something you didn’t know you were going to love so much.

So, in preparation for the beginning of Isaiah I am going to share with you five reasons why I love Isaiah.  And I am going to include them on a bookmark, in case you want to keep it with you while you read for the next two weeks.

1.   “…that I might more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer I did read unto them that which was written by the prophet Isaiah…” (1 Nephi 19:23)  One of the things I love most about Isaiah is his testimony of the Lord.  He has a beautiful way of expressing his belief in the Savior.  It is poetic, and visual, and he teaches us characteristics of the Lord in a way that is different from any other book of scripture.  As you read Isaiah this time watch for verses that testify of Christ.  Mark them.  Learn from them.

2.   “…Surely he spake as touching all things.  All things that he spake have been and shall be, even according to the words which he spake.”  (3 Nephi 23:1-3)  I love that Isaiah spake as touching all things…and it is true.  Within these pages you will find his testimony on many gospel principles including tithing, fast offerings, the atonement, the church in the Latter Days, the Stakes of Zion, and the temple, among others.  This time when you read Isaiah watch for verses that speak counsel, and also verses that speak warning.  What can you learn from them?

3.   “In the days that the prophecies of Isaiah shall be fulfilled men shall know of a surety, at the times when they shall come to pass.”  (2 Nephi 25:7)  The book of Isaiah contains many prophecies, some of which have already come to pass, and others which are still before us.  As you read Isaiah, watch for prophecies…both those that have been fulfilled, and those that will be.

4.   “They will be of great worth unto them in the last days; for in that day shall they understand them; wherefore, for their good have I written them.”  (2 Nephi 25:8)  Nephi has given us a great promise ––we live in the last days, which means we are the people who will understand the words of Isaiah.  What an incredible gift…to be able to understand.  This time as you read Isaiah, pray for the Spirit to be with you, then have faith in the promise given by Nephi…you will understand them.

5.   “Search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah.”  (3 Nephi 23:1)  The words of Isaiah are great.  This is something I believe with all my heart.  Take your time.  Read slow.  Soak it in.  Watch for the imagery.  Get caught up in the poetry.  As you turn each page of this sacred text remind yourself of that truth…great are the words of Isaiah.  Believe it, and it will be so.

As you can see, the five reasons I have chosen are simple, and they are all found outlined in the Book of Mormon.  Here is a quick review…

I love the testimony of Christ contained within the pages.
I love the opportunity we have to learn more about the commandments and to follow counsel.
I love learning about the prophecies concerning the latter days.
I love the promise given to those who live in our day concerning the words of Isaiah, that we will be able to understand those words.
And, last, I love the reminder from Nephi that “great are the words of Isaiah.”

Did I mention how much I love the book of Isaiah?

Oh, I can hardly wait to begin…

First an item of housekeeping…

Many people have asked about reading the Songs of Solomon.  As you prepare to read you might want to take note of the footnote regarding the Joseph Smith Translation located under Solomon 1a.

Now, for the thoughts on today.

As I read todays reading there was one sentence that just jumped out:

“Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof…”

(Eccl. 7:8)

Have you ever found that to be true?  The end of a really good book, the last bite of a Snicker’s candy bar, the final score of a game your team just won.  Those are the kind of endings I am talking about.  As I was thinking about good endings I realized we are almost at the end of the Old Testament…which is a remarkable thought.  Six weeks from the finish.  Less than 326 pages.

Amazing, isn’t it?

And the ending promises to be better than the beginning for so many reasons.”For could we have supposed when we started…that the Lord would have granted unto us such great blessings?  And now, I ask, what great blessings has he bestowed upon us?  Can ye tell?”  (Alma 26:1-2)

It doesn’t take long for my mind to fill with blessings…

Gathering with my husband and children every night at 9:30 to read our seven pages together, listening at the end of the reading as everyone takes a turn to share their favorite verse.

Conversations with friends throughout the day as we talk about words on holy pages, applications that motivate our actions today, and what our hearts are learning.

Coming to admire scripture heroes I have heard of, but never really studied before…Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Deborah, Gideon, Hannah, The Great Woman, Leah, Jehoshaphat, Macaiah, David, Mephibosheth, to name a few.  I have come to love these people,  to treasure their stories.

Starting out with a handful of people in Lehi, Utah, and making friends with people all over the world…Buenos Aires, Argentina, Nova Scotia, Canada…and people here in the United States…a 17-year-old from Orange County, California, a woman from Colorado, from Idaho, from Nevada.  Strangers brought together because of a unified goal.  A humble desire to know more of the Savior, more of His words.

These are just a few of the blessings.  I am sure you could name many more.

Thinking about the end of this part of our journey reminds me of the upcoming celebration.

The walk.

Because every great ending deserves a celebration…and so does every great beginning, really.

So on June 23, 2012 we will celebrate the end of the Old Testament and the Beginning of the New Testament with a 17 mile walk.  Many of you have put this celebration on your calendar.  Some plan to join with us here in Utah, others are planning to walk in their own area on that day.  Every Monday for the next six weeks this blog will have instructions that will help you as you prepare to join us in this celebration from wherever you are.

Here are the instructions for this week:

1.  For those who are planning to join us here in Utah, I need to know your last name and how many from your family will be coming.  This is an RSVP of sorts.  We are trying to determine the perfect location for this event, and the trail we would like to follow requires us to turn in the anticipated number of walkers who will be joining us.  On the bar located at the top of this blog is a menu bar.  Right in the middle of the bar you will see the word “contact.”  If you click on that word you will be able to send me your RSVP email with the number of those who will be walking with you.  Come on your own, or bring your family if you would like.  We recommend walkers be ten and older.  The walk will be held on June 23, 2012.  We will begin at 7:00am.  We will finish up between noon and 1:00pm.

2.  If you are worried about walking 17 miles print out the training schedule. It is also located on the menu bar above, just click on “The Walk.”  This simple training will help you prepare for the walk.  We will have two meeting points where you can join us if you are worried about all 17 miles.  One will be a 6 mile walk.  The last meeting place will be a 2 mile walk.

3.  If you are wondering what this walk is all about you can check out these blogs for a little more information:

Pausing Again.  

Turn Not Aside.

4.  Check back here every Monday for more information.

5.  If you are not walking, no need to worry…Monday’s will always have a thought along with the instructions for the week.  You can just continue reading and following the same as you have since January.  And you will be able to participate in the celebration from home.

My heart is so excited for this celebration.

…for the ending that will be better than the beginning.

…for the beginning that will lead to another end.

Oh, we have much to look forward to this year.

We have been so richly blessed already.

And yet, there is more.

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