Category: Pray

These are articles and stories that uplift and enlighten, insights from the scriptures,  and music that inspires.  This is a place where you can know that prayer really works and peace, love, hope and miracles exist.

Santa Clara Flood 2012– Stories: Doing Dishes

There have been so many amazing stories during this flood.  These are just some that I have experienced or heard told to me.  I know there are MANY more.  I hope I can collect a few of them.  It is just amazing to see how people respond under the most difficult of circumstances.  Here are some great stories:

 

When Your Basement Fills Up

 

The night the flood hit, I headed down to where my family was working.  I was taking pictures all along the way.  As I neared the Dunkley’s house, one of my friends said, “you need to go see inside.”  So I walked in with their daughter-in-law.  It was getting dark outside, kind of dusky.  But in the house it was dark.  The power was off because the ceiling of their basement had collapsed.  Water had filled to the top of their stairs and soaked the drywall. The basement ceiling collapsed, pulling the wires out of the walls and ceiling, too.  As I came in, Lisa was inside her kitchen doing the dishes.  Someone came in with a spot light and headed downstairs to light the room in the basement so they could keep working.  A candle was lit in the kitchen, giving off very little light.

 

Lisa said to me.  “I know it seems crazy doing your dishes in the middle of a mess like this, but I am just overwhelmed and don’t know what to do, so I’m doing what I know how.”   I found it interesting and profound somewhat.  She was just calm and was doing what came instinctively when tragedy struck– Just clean something and do something.  Then she said, “a reporter interviewed me today.  He asked how I could be so calm.  Well, what do you do?  You can’t change anything.  Crying won’t solve it.  So we’re just going to calmly go about it.  And besides, look at all these people that are here to help.”

 

As I went down the stairs, they were covered in mud and insulation.  It was hard to even walk down them.

 

 

I peered into the basement and found insulation and what I assume was drywall underneath it in a pile.

 

 

They were trying to light up the room and take some 5 gallon buckets and begin scooping out the insulation and handing it out the window to someone.  But because it was getting so dark, I think they may have waited until the next day to do it.  At least I saw them dumping buckets of insulation into the dumpster the next day.

 

 

On Saturday, I stopped by the Dunkley’s delivering ice and water.  It was a hot day and the wet mud made things even more humid.  But the worst part was the smell.  For some reason everywhere we went on Saturday, things were really smelly.  I don’t know if it was manure from the fields or if the stuff buried in the mud was starting to mildew or decay, but it smelt like manure or something.  And here were all these people in the yards working, shoveling dirt.  Lisa was on the side of the yard, re-aligning the stepping stones between her yard and the Smith’s.  She had a smile on her face, was grateful for cold ice, and more than that, kept saying how appreciative she was of all these people helping out.  Two young girls had been shoveling and doing some hard labor.  She gave them permission to stop that and asked them if they could just clean out around her bushes.  She pointed to the pile they had cleaned out and how grateful she was for these girls.  I was in awe.  There was still a bunch of mud in her yard and it is going to take a while to get it all out.  She said her house was all gutted and cleaned out and drying.  A cheerful disposition among the muck.  How I admire her!

 

The visit to the Dunkley’s house was powerful for me.  I learned that when things go bad, we do what we can do instinctively as women….our dishes or our simple daily, motherly routines that can bring us some peace.   I learned that LOTS of people in your neighborhood show up and some of them have a clue where to start and where to begin, which is nice for those of us so overwhelmed that we are frozen.

 

And I learned that the Dunkley’s are just strong, good people who handle adversity with a sense of humor and good old fashioned work.  Lisa’s great-great grandfather was Andrew Gibbons.  It just so happens that he was one of the first missionaries called to Santa Clara, and I am guessing could have been around when the first big flood came through here.   He had a tough life.  I’ve read his stories.  He and his wife were amazing….and so is their great great granddaughter.  She has been blessed with that same spirit.  It shows in her face!

 

Sometimes, you just gotta do your dishes.  Even if it doesn’t make sense.  It brings peace to a weary soul.

 

Santa Clara Flood 2012 History Perspective

Flooding is not new to Santa Clara. We’ve had them as a part of our history dating back to the first settlers. I’d like to give you a little perspective so you can see and understand the people, the spirit, the courage that exists here in this little town.

 

The first settlers to Santa Clara were missionaries that were called to teach the Native American people of this area. Jacob Hamblin and several other men were called and came here in 1854. They built a fort along the Santa Clara Creek where they stayed in.

 

In November 1861, Brigham Young called several Swiss families to settle in the valley of Santa Clara. They came with mostly nothing. They didn’t even have their own wagons. They were taken to one town. Then the people of that town would take them to the next, until they arrived in Santa Clara from Salt Lake City. They built dugouts in the sides of the hills so they would have somewhere to live. Sophie Staheli was 8 months pregnant and so the Staheli family was one of the only ones that got to live in the fort. On Christmas Day, Sophie delivered a baby girl they named Barbara. She was my great great grandmother.

 

Two weeks after her birth, the Santa Clara creek flooded. It washed out the corners of the fort. Sophie and baby Barbara were rescued from the flood waters before the fort went crashing into the torrent. This poor group of immigrants lost their fort and some food. In the middle of a cold wet winter, they stayed and carried on.

 

They planted crops the following spring. Yet it took years before they really had enough food to live on. Between the insects eating their crops and the lack of water, things were difficult in Santa Clara. They were starving. Several left because of the difficulty and lack of food. Some died because of the lack of food. Many a journal tells of the only food available to eat being “pigweed.”

 

But somehow, someway, those stubborn, hearty pioneers made it and turned this valley into a beautiful, fruitful and plentiful place.

 

I’ve grown up hearing those stories and wondered how in the world that little trickle of water in the creek bed could ever amount to anything that could take out a fort.

 

In 2005, I had my answer. With snow pack and rains pouring heavily on Pine Valley and here in Santa Clara, the waters came crashing through and we saw first hand exactly what the pioneers must have went through. I stood on the hill overlooking the old fort site with my Grandmother. She was 89 at the time. I felt as if I was touching history in both directions. She and I stood there and could finally understand what HER grandmother was in. It was a moment I’ll never forget. Over 27 homes were lost in that flood. I marveled then at the destruction and the resilience of the people in this valley– in Southern Utah. The stories were amazing.

 

Last year (2011), I wrote a song for Swiss Days as a tribute to my pioneer family that was in that first big flood and to those neighbors whose home I watched fall into the rushing waters. I marveled at their strength and faith.

 

As I sat here in the evening of 9/11/12 and pondered another moment in history, I remembered this song that I wrote last year. I’m posting it now as I think it is appropriate to share the message. The people of this valley are strong. They just go to work. No time to sit and mope. Things can only be fixed by getting up and doing. It’s one of the many reasons I love this little valley so much.

 

To all my friends and loved ones who have been hit by the latest destruction:

There is one thing I new as I watched those waters batter Dutchman’s market and head straight for the homes of the families that I knew:  This would not defeat them!  I knew they would roll up their sleeves and go to work.  I knew hundreds would join them.  I knew that with the mess and the discouragement and the sadness, there would be help, hope, and happiness.  I knew there would be laughter amid the strife, humor amongst the piles of rubble.

I have not been disappointed.  People have arrived.  Help and Love have been shown.  Tender mercies and joys among the mud and the muck.  The spirit of Santa Clara is alive and well.  The spirit of Southern Utah is overwhelming and powerful.  There is no greater place to live than right here.

Santa Clara Flood 2012 Videos

I watched history unfold again today.  Yes, it’s  9/11, but this time, the history making is in my little town.  The dike broke by the Middle School sending a torrent of water down through our town flooding over 30 homes and businesses.  I just happened to get stopped and detoured just as the dike broke.  I pulled off and took pictures and videos as I made my way to work.  I was astounded and shocked at what I was seeing.  And I knew right where this wall of water was headed…..straight to the homes of my dear friends and neighbors. Here is the footage of the flooding I shot today.  These first few are of the Little league field and then looking south toward where the breach in the dike is.

I pulled around past the high school.  Stopped at the Middle School to get pictures of the broken dike, but they wouldn’t let me through.  So I went down to the library and walked down the hill and shot these videos:

 

This was the beginning of a complete disaster. Amazed at what the power of water can do.

Ye Heavy Laden

I received another video today from a sweet gal who recorded my son practicing to sing at her mother and brother’s baptism on Saturday.  She started recording and then it shut off. She got it back on, but didn’t get the whole song– but most of it.  Still……to see my son’s face and hear him singing….I don’t know, just brings a tear to my eye.  How I love my missionary sons!  One of the great rewards of motherhood.

The words to this song are beautiful.  I have never heard this song, so I’m trying to find the words to it to post.

I hope you enjoy this little snipet!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKGyQwgK5Ac&feature=g-upl[/youtube]

9/5/12

In my son’s letter home today, he said that a lady from San Diego wrote this song.  That’s why I couldn’t find it anywhere. ;o)

Here are the words.  They are beautiful.  I’ll have to find out her name so I can give her credit here!

Ye Heavy Laden

 

When shadows fall and darkness deepens
When faith is small and all seems lost
When the light in your eyes grows dim
And you can’t find a moments peace within.
In your despair longing for answers
Wearied and worn, forlorn in your grief
When relief from your suffering seems denied
And you can’t quell your questioning why
Will these sorrows never cease?
These burdens never ease?
Oh, hear the words of Christ
He lives to calm our cries:
Come unto me all ye that labor
Ye heavy laden and I will give you rest
Take my yoke upon you learn of me
For I am lowly of heart and meek
Come unto me all ye that labor
Ye heavy laden and I will you rest
Take my yoke find rest unto your souls
Ye heavy laden, come unto me.
In Christ’s despair facing Gethsemane
Wearied and worn, forlorn in His grief
Though relief from His pain was in His hands
He plead our cause unto God, a lowly lamb:
“Must their sorrows never cease?
Their burdens never ease?
Then let sins price be placed on me
That their souls might be free.”
Come unto me all ye that labor
Ye heavy laden and I will give you rest
Take my yoke upon you learn of me
For I am lowly of heart and meek
Come unto me all ye that labor
My yoke is easy and my burden is light
Take my yoke, find rest unto your soul.
Ye heavy laden, come unto me.

Come Thou Fount

My son sang “Come Thou Fount” in church the other day.  He was nice enough to grab a recording of his practice.  I LOVE this song and am grateful to the pianist and cellist.  They make this song so beautiful!

And a big shout out to Mark Mabry whose photography collection of Christ is one of my favorites.  I love the spirit and feeling in these photos and am grateful for his gift and talent.  I also am appreciative that he has given me permission to use his photos on my blog. =)

Here is what my son wrote to me in his letter that accompanied the recording of this song:

Singing in sacrament meeting yesterday was one of them. Honestly, I feel silly talking about myself and my performances, but I do it because I know Mom, and Grandmas, appreciate the stories and successes of their little ones. I was writing in my journal the other night about how much I love performing; and not for the usual reasons. I would be lying if I said I didn’t like the attention I get from singing, because I do, but not nearly as much as what I get to experience while I sing. Looking out into a crowd of people with tear-filled eyes and broken hearts, then watching the Spirit of music, and the Spirit itself, mend and heal those people who are attentive and receptive, is an experience I live for. I pity the people who miss out on such beautiful moments. 

Also, I feel like my singing makes up for my many imperfections. One of the greatest things we can do in this life is serve those around us, and that is was I try to do. Mostly it’s out of genuine love, but this is the selfish part in me. I also sing to heal myself, and vindicate my wrong-doings. Maybe that’s wrong in itself, but it mends my own heart when I help someone else. I don’t think I could ever do enough for people, which is why I sometimes go through great extremes just to serve someone. I think faith, prayer, laughter and music are the greatest healer’s of all time; to be an instrument (sometimes literally) in the hand of Heavenly Father is a miracle.  I hope we will each live in a way to bless, and not break, those around us.– Elder Jadon Webster

Come Thou Fount

Savior, Redeemer of My Soul

There’s  a little story behind this song.  When I was at my book retreat with Leslie Householder and Nancy Genys, Leslie would play this song that we just loved.  It was so peaceful and brought such a powerful sweet spirit.  It was interesting because the singer sounded so much like my son.  I wanted him to sing it.  So when I came home, I searched and searched for the sheet music, but could not find it.  Every so often, the thought would pop into my mind that I needed to find it, but I haven’t had time to go to the music stores and look.  I had only been able to check online.

So today when I got my son’s weekly letter, there was this other email he sent that said this, “Here is my song from Mike’s baptism, May 26, 2012. One is the rehearsal and the other is the actual performance. Yes, I was sick, believe it, or not. Jeane H. on the piano with Jen C on the violin. Absolutely beautiful together!!”

In my mind I’m thinking he must be singing “Come Thou Fount” because that is the song he always sings with cello.  Imagine my surprise when I open the file and hear the music start!!  I am STUNNED!  This was IT!!  This was the song I had been searching for!!  I could not believe it!  I’ve played it over and over.

So I called Sis. Hench (one of the senior missionaries in his area) to tell her about how I had been searching for the music.  Then she says, “well do you know the rest of the story?”  Of course, I hadn’t because this was all my son wrote.  So she proceeds to tell me that the day before the baptism he woke up sick.  He couldn’t hardly even talk.  She said he took every essential oil, over-the-counter medication, and home remedy he could think of.  He couldn’t even practice.    The next morning he woke up still sick.  He could barely talk and was miserable.  He was discouraged and his companion asked him what he was going to do.  He went into his bedroom alone and knelt down and said a prayer.  He told Heavenly Father that this was a beautiful piece of music and that the others had worked hard to prepare it and he wanted to be able to sing it for Mike.  Then he added, “Thy will be done.”  (In his words: “I just prayed that it would go well and that I would be able to sing. I knew I would be able to do it. Faith is a principle of power for sure.”) He had no idea what would happen, but when he showed up and sang, you would never have known.  He said he felt the spirit so strongly and felt he had sung better than he ever had.  He even felt a little better after the song was over.

That story just touched my heart because of the simple, humble faith of a missionary trying to bring the spirit to others.  The Lord truly blessed him.

I hope you enjoy this song of his.  You will never believe that he is/was sick and barely able to talk.

Savior Redeemer of My Soul

Rock Bottom– The foundation to bounce up

 

Rock Bottom.  We’ve all heard that statement, but what does it really mean?  I’ve heard numerous people tell me about their struggles and say, “things will not change until they hit rock bottom.”  Why is that so?  Thanks to Leslie Householder and her FTMF Course I learned a few things about Rock Bottom that have made a huge difference in my life.

1.  Rock Bottom is the point of change.   Most people are muddling through their lives in a comfort zone.  Even with their disfunctions, habits, and messes, they are comfortable.  How do I know that, you ask?  Well, I know that because change is UNCOMFORTABLE.  You have to do something different, CHANGE what you are doing.   And until you reach the point where the situation is MORE uncomfortable than change itself, you will stay in your situation or circumstance.  The above picture is true because a ball cannot bounce back up until it hits a surface with which to change its course.  In our lives, we spiral downward until we are  ready to bounce back up.

2.  You cannot force rock bottom onto some people.  They have to hit it themselves.  Sometimes “getting caught” brings about a rock bottom, but for others, they may not even care.  Drug addicts, pornography addicts, alcoholics, depression, abuse– you name it– some of them can get caught and be grateful that finally someone will help them get out of their hell, but for others, they may not even care and you know that their lives will continue to get worse because they have not hit their own rock bottom .

3.  Rock bottom truly is a foundation.  I have found that if I use the foundation of Christ, my bounce up is so much better.   Most of us have to hit a low point before we turn to Christ or God for help.  We truck along thinking we can handle it.  For addicts, they may think that they can stop anytime they want.   But once you realize that you cannot do it alone, then you find yourself laying there on the road to Jerusalem waiting for a good Samaritan.  When we hit this point and look UP– out of the pit– toward our Savior, then we have hope to bounce back and toward Him.  He sends us family, friends, programs, scriptures to lift us up and help us out of our hole.  Using the Savior as your foundation will ensure you do not ever go this far down again.

4.  Rock bottom is about purification.   Recognizing those things within us that need change is part of the purification process.  I believe that is when we need Christ the most.  We are on our knees pleading for help and hope.  He uses this to purify our souls and come to him.  It’s called repentance.  It is the greatest gift.  He truly wants us to be with Him, and the Savior understands our problems in a way no other could understand.

5.  We can hit  Rock bottom because of our own choices and mistakes, but we can also hit them because of others.  Either way, there is a purification process going on.  If another’s choices have caused you to hit rock bottom, then you have an opportunity to learn about forgiveness and unconditional love.  Difficult?  YES!  Life changing if you do?  YES YES YES!  The most powerful feeling in the world is when you feel overcome with pure love through forgiveness.  I recommend it.  It’s not easy, but it will change your life in no other way.

6.  Rock bottom is not just for addicts.  Rock bottom is for any of us trying to live a better life and get rid of habits and mind sets that are not for our best self.  Gossip, judging, hypocrite, dishonest, sarcastic, critical, naggy, bitter, envious, jealous?  Don’t think the addicts have the corner on the market.  They just have the bigger, easier to see and point-a-finger-at problems.  Try for one week to not say an unkind or critical thing to anyone.  Try not to THINK an unkind or critical thing of anyone– or pass judgment.  It is not an easy thing to do because most of us have spent a lifetime developing that trait.  Then when you see how difficult it is, have some pity and empathy for the addicts who are trying to quit.  It’s HARD!    You’ll see that casting stones and looking at motes in others eyes takes on a whole new meaning.  It’s hard to stop cold turkey.  First you have to WANT to change and second, you have to WORK at it.

7.  True Rock Bottom creates the most permanent change.  Those who hit true rock bottom and know that they never want to go there again, usually will not.  They somehow can quit “cold turkey.”   I admire these people because  they will make their decision and never look back.  There are also some who truly desire, but struggle a little more and have some set backs.   Either way, if the desire is there.  They will make the change.  And they always become a powerful force for good.

8.  The BEST news about Rock Bottom–There are different levels.  One of the best things I learned from Leslie’s course is that I can CHOOSE my rock bottom.  In the past, I would wallow, sulk, whine and complain my way to the depths of despair.  As soon as I understood this principle of CHOOSING my rock bottom, I started making a conscious choice to stop myself.  As I was going through the FTMF course, I found myself on a higher vibration than I had ever been before.  I was learning how to think better.  I was happy.  I was feeling the spirit all the time.  I felt a deep joy I had never felt before.  All of a sudden, I NEVER wanted to go back to those other feelings.  I LIKED the higher place.  So I would try and catch myself and say, “Nope this is rock bottom for me.”  When I started thinking unkind thoughts about someone, or becoming upset at what someone had said, I stopped myself.  I didn’t want to be a judgmental, envious person anymore!  I was done with that!  Have I conquered that entirely?  No.  But I am doing SO much better.  It is a powerful concept to raise your rock bottom.  I HIGHLY recommend trying it!

Be grateful for rock bottom.  Bounce up!  Use Christ as your foundation.  Raise your rock bottom.   Rebuild your life!

I AM

 

This is a great image I posted on facebook.  I thought it ironic since I had just listened to TWO talks on this the night before.  (Sometimes I think someone is trying to get a message to me.) ;o)  Let me share these talks and what I learned from this and how powerful the words are that you are saying.

First, Dallin H. Oaks was speaking on what it means as an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ to testify of His NAME.   He talked about Moses at the burning bush.  Moses asked the Lord, “who should I tell them sent me?”  A Jewish Rabbi gave Elder Oaks some insight into this particular scripture (the Name of Christ – I AM.)  He told Elder Oaks that anciently, the name  of a person was the essence or nature of a person, not the “label” like it is today.  Moses was saying, “what are you made up of?”  What is your nature?  It was simply “The nature of God” that he was trying to find out about.  The word essence comes from the French (or Greek ?)  derivative of “essen” which means essential.  The Lord answered him by saying, “I AM.”  This Rabbi explained that anciently when they changed their “essence,” they changed their name—Abram/Abraham, Sariah/Sarah, Jacob/Israel.  If you are a witness of the name of Christ, in that sense, you are a witness of the NATURE of Christ.  When you see me, you will know me because you will become like I am.  His atonement sets us toward Him and exaltation.

I thought this interesting because I always thought Moses was wondering if it really was the Lord, but with this definition, I learned that is was quite more than that.  I also learned that when one changes their nature or disposition (the essence of who they are), then their name was changed, too.  Had me thinking about new names for those whose lives become more pure and why they changed them.  Saul became Paul after a mighty change.  Is that so good things would be associated with his new name?  When a woman marries, she takes on her husband’s last name (at least in America) and that con-notates  a change.  Interesting to think about what you have done with your current name.

As I came home that night, my good husband said he had recorded a show on PBS for me.  (Video below)  It was Wayne Dyer.  And at some point in the show, he started talking about Moses being at the burning bush and asking the Lord, “who shall I say sent me?”  The Lord answered, “My name is I AM that I AM.”

“Now every single time that you use the words, ‘I AM,’ you are citing the name of God right from the holiest books.   And every time you say the words, ‘I am weak.  I am poor.  I am  unlucky.  I am unhappy.  I am sick.  I am unable to attract into my life what you want; you are desecrating the name of God.  God did not say, ‘I will be.  My name is ‘I hope things will work out well.’  My name is ‘maybe things will show up as I wanted, but possibly not. ‘  He said, ‘I AM that I AM.’  You must be conscious of how you use these words, ‘I am.’   I am strong.  I am well.   I am content.  Even if your senses tell you something different.  I AM……You’ll see that putting the words ‘I Am’ in front of something into your mind and imagination is a very powerful way to attract into your life recognizing your own divinity.   I am God  is not blaspheme.  It is your identity.”

This brought me to tears.  Here I had first heard an Apostle of the Lord testifying of the name of Jesus Christ– The Great I AM.  Then I heard this and understood for the first time, that my own thoughts and words of self-deprecation were not just tearing down me, but were tearing down My Lord, My Savior, My Brother that I love so dearly.  How could I have done this?  How could I continually tear myself down and Him, too?  I was heart broken.  I would not hurt My Lord, but I would hurt myself.  I had never made the connection that if I was hurt, He was, too.  I vowed to watch my thoughts and language from here on out.  I found some renewed hope.

And then a bright light came into my mind.  In my lifevision, I have a whole closing paragraph that is all “I am” statements.  I began to rejoice that I had spent that time to write my lifevision and try to think of all the things  I wanted to be or believed deep down that I was, by stating all kinds of “I am” phrases, such as:  I am kind.  I am tolerant.  I am Christlike.  I am a good mother. etc etc.

The next morning as I was running and listening to my lifevision, this particular paragraph (that I wrote as a closing) actually comes up as the first one I listen to.  I set it to Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus so it would be powerful.  I was nearly in tears as I ran realizing that I was not only trying to become what I had written, but that I was glorifying God.  I listened and ran with a renewed, light, uplifted heart.  It had a whole new meaning.

I hope that after reading this, you will also think and ponder about what you say and THINK about yourself.  What words do you hear in your head?  “I am fat.  I am ugly.  I am not good enough.”  Because you ARE and your are HIS, and He paid a dear dear price for you.

Here is the Wayne Dyer video in full.  It is long, but OH SO GOOD!!  Well worth the time!

Faith vs Knowledge

One day in church, a friend in the Bishopric was bearing his testimony.  He quoted this scripture:

Hebrews 11:1– Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

I remember something just jumping right out at me.  Substance of things hoped for and evidence of things not seen.  Those phrases seem like oxymorons.  If there is substance, then why hope?  If there is evidence, then how can it not be seen?  So I pondered …. If there is SUBSTANCE to something we are hoping for or EVIDENCE of things we are not seeing, then something already exists and it is up to us to focus or look for that substance or evidence.  If there is substance or evidence of that thing, then there is knowledge—not faith.  So if we understand faith in this concept, we can look around us for evidence or substance of what we are having faith in.  Then we will have knowledge.  I hope this is making sense.  Here’s an example.

I have a friend, Marnie, who lives in Georgia.  I’ve never been to Georgia.  So if I’ve never been and never seen it, how can I know that Georgia REALLY exists?  I can have faith and hope that it does.  But according to this verse, is there substance for my hope?  Is there evidence of what I am not seeing?  The answer is yes.  First, there is Marnie’s witness.  She’s been there.  She lives there.  I’ve seen pictures of Georgia.  I can read all about it.  So if I have substance and evidence, then I don’t have to have “faith” in it anymore, I can have KNOWLEDGE.  And even though I have not seen, nor been there, I can still have knowledge of it and testify to others that Georgia is real and exists.

The same scenerio can happen with Christ.  I have faith that Christ lives but I haven’t seen Him.  Using this verse, if I HOPE that He is there, then I can look for SUBSTANCE that supports this.  If I cannot see Him, I can look for EVIDENCE that tells me He is real and exists.  What substance and evidence do I have?   I have the scriptures. I also have those who have seen the Savior, including the prophet and apostles .  They have  written and testified of Him. I have the Holy Ghost who, as a WITNESS of Him (meaning He has seen Christ  and KNOWS Him), has testified to me that He is real.  If I were in the Holy Land, there would be tangible evidence of where He walked and lived.  I look around the world at the creations, at people, at the mountains, and a tree.  I have a witness every single day of a Creator. I can listen to music.  I can feel His spirit when I pray.  I can have tangible evidence and KNOW.

Now…if I can find this substance and this evidence, then is it not KNOWLEDGE that He exists?  And if I have knowledge, then it will become as sure and real and I will see Him, yet even if I don’t right now, I can still know.

Now, what if you have to have faith in something else—like, say, paying off your house.  That is also a test of faith.  It is something that we have to believe in and hope for.  I can take this same principle and look around me for tangible evidence that it is possible and I can find substance that will tell me that I can.

What if you are dealing with health issues like cancer?  Can you look around and find evidence and substance for healing?  I believe you can.

Powerful stuff.  I hope that made sense and you can feel what I am saying.  When this hit me, I thought that perhaps the Lord is telling us that the answers are right in front of us and are tangible.  I think it is all about focus again.  Time and time again, I am understanding how important it is to focus and set your sights on what is good and holy and right, then all other things will be opened unto you.  Then sure knowledge comes.  Past hope.  Past faith.  Pure knowledge.

That is what I seek.  For then who can dispute?