Our Music Offering
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIy9FcBKdXo

Encouragement Through the Word.

We each worship in our own way. But we have been charged by our Savior to do more. He said, "Feed my Sheep." Share your testimony with others. Help them to learn and love our Lord. Lift them up with what is in your heart from our Father. Go to Church. Live as an example of the Word of God. Breathe every breath with the thoughts and feelings of a person who has accepted the Gift of the Atonement of Jesus Christ!

'The concept of being filled with light and truth became particularly important to me because of an experience I had many years ago. I attended a meeting where Teachers taught about creating spiritually strong families and homes. To visually demonstrate this, a leader held up two soda cans. In one hand she held a can that was empty and in the other hand a can that was unopened and full of soda. First, she squeezed the empty can; it began to bend and then collapsed under the pressure. Next, with her other hand, she squeezed the unopened can. It held firm. It didn’t bend or collapse like the empty can—because it was filled.



We likened this demonstration to our individual lives and to our homes and families. When filled with the Spirit and with gospel truth, we have the power to withstand the outside forces of the world that surround and push against us. However, if we are not filled spiritually, we don’t have the inner strength to resist the outside pressures and can collapse when forces push against us.

Satan knows that in order for us and our families to withstand the pressures of the world, we must be filled with light and gospel truth. So he does everything in his power to dilute, distort, and destroy the truth of the gospel and to keep us separated from that truth.

Many of us have been baptized and have received the gift of the Holy Ghost, whose role it is to reveal and teach the truth of all things. With the privilege of that gift comes the responsibility to seek truth, to live the truth we know, and to share and defend the truth.

One place where we best seek to be filled with light and truth is in our own homes. The words in the chorus of the song we heard remind us, “God gave us families to help us become what He wants us to be.” Families are the Lord’s workshop on earth to help us learn and live the gospel. We come into our families with a sacred duty to help strengthen each other spiritually.

Strong eternal families and Spirit-filled homes do not just happen. They take great effort, they take time, and they take each member of the family doing his or her part. Every home is different, but every home where even one individual seeks for truth can make a difference.

We are continually counseled to increase our spiritual knowledge through prayer and through studying and pondering the scriptures and the words of the prophets. In a talk about receiving a testimony of light and truth, it is put plainly;

“The Everlasting and Almighty God … will speak to those who approach Him with a sincere heart and real intent."

We live in a world of many doubters and critics who ridicule and oppose the truths we hold dear. We may hear confusing stories and conflicting messages. Also l we will have to do our best to hold on to whatever light and truth we currently have, especially in difficult circumstances. The answers to our prayers may not come dramatically, but we must find quiet moments to seek greater light and truth. And when we receive it, it is our responsibility to live it, to share it, and to defend it. It helps to have godly companions--attend church and meetings with gospel-oriented Brothers and Sisters in Jesus Christ.

I leave you with my testimony that I know as we fill our hearts and homes with the Savior’s light and truth, we will have the inner strength to withstand in every circumstance. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen'.

~Cheryl A. Esplin


Dear Lord,

Thank you for your goodness. Thank you for your incredible word, which lifts me up, inspires me, convicts me, and comforts me.

I pray that I would have words of encouragement like you. I pray that your words are ingrained in my mind, written on my heart, and I pray that your words are on my tongue. I desire to be a person who honors others, encourages others, and helps others. Please give me words of encouragement for all those I meet. Use me to encourage and lift others, to comfort others, to say the right thing and to share your Gospel of Love in the precious name of Jesus Christ. Amen