Like a bridge over troubled water.

  

  There's a song that I love, by Simon and Garfunkel that always make me think of the Savior. These are it's lyrics.

I'll take your part

When darkness comes

And pain is all around

Like a bridge over troubled water

I will lay me down

Like a bridge over troubled water

I will lay me down* 

  Jesus Christ is our bridge over troubled water. From the bridge we can see the water below us, and know that we have a safe way to cross. He suffered the pain of the world so that we didn't have to. He atoned, or paid, for everyone who will ever live on this earth. When he knelt in the garden of Gethsemane he took the punishment for every law we would ever break. Christ described how it felt to the prophet Joseph Smith "Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink— Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men." (Doctrine and Covenants 19:18-19)

See how they shine

If you need a friend

I'm sailing right behind

Like a bridge over troubled water

I will ease your mind

Like a bridge over troubled water

I will ease your mind*

  "And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities." (Alma 7:11-12)

  When Christ atoned for us he felt every pain we will ever feel, and did it so that he can understand what we are going through. He knows every bad thing we've done, every pain or sickness or trial we have. And because he knows where we've been, he can help us get over it. When we fully realize what the atonement is, all the guilt and shame and frustration are taken away. There is no reason to mourn the loss of a loved one, because he will live again. There is no such thing as too far gone, because Christ has been lowered beneath us all so that he can lift us up. He lay himself down so that we might have a bridge over troubled water. 

  I know that my Redeemer lives. I have felt the power of the atonement in my life. I know you can too.

*Excerpts taken from "Bridge Over Troubled Water" performed by Simon and Garfunkel.

It's Christmas that we're waiting for, but we can wait a little more.

On window panes, the icy frost
Leaves feathered patterns, crissed & crossed,
But in our house the Christmas tree
is decorated festively
With tiny dots of colored light
That cozy up this Winter night.
Christmas songs, familiar slow,
Play softly on the radio.
Pops and hisses from the fire
Whistle with the bells and choir.
My tiger is now fast asleep
On his back and dreaming deep.
When the fire makes him hot,
he turns to warm whatever’s not.
Propped against him on the rug,
I give my friend a gentle hug.
Tomorrow’s what I’m waiting for,
But I can wait a little more.

  I love Calvin and Hobbes. This poem has always been a favorite of mine, it reminds me that there's more to Christmas than gifts and money. This is the time to celebrate the birth of our Savior, and to show others the love that he showed us. How often do we stop to think of others in this time of the year? What does Christmas mean to you?

  The poem helps me to think of my family and my friends, to remember the small things that make them great. It reminds me of the fun times we've had and those that we can look forward to. To show them that I care about them in simple but significant ways. Everyone has a poem or a book or a song, that helps them to feel that special spirit that Christmas brings. The spirit of Christmas, or the spirit of Christ, is always around when we put those around us first and it leaves a feeling of warmth and joy.

  President Thomas S. Monson once said "As we seek Christ, as we find Him, as we follow Him, we shall have the Christmas spirit, not for one fleeting day each year, but as a companion always. We shall learn to forget ourselves. We shall turn our thoughts to the greater benefit of others." That feeling of comfort and happiness that comes with the season doesn't have to leave. We can always feel the spirit of Christ, as we try to be more like Him.

  Show someone you care this Christmas. Perform a small act of kindness, and see the happiness you can bring to someone who needs it. Don't be so quick to chase away the feelings of this wonderful time of the year. Bring that spirit of Christ with you, and keep it. You will notice the difference in yourself and the ones you help, as you love them like our Savior does. It's Christmas that we're waiting for, but we can wait a little more.

  Merry Christmas!

The Hope of the Universe

"I am the hope of the Universe. I am the answer to all living things that cry out for peace. I am protector of the innocent. I am the Light to the Darkness. I am truth. Ally to good! Nightmare to you!" - Son Goku

  That is one of my favorite quotes, its powerful and positive and gets me pumped to go and do some good! It makes me want to help someone, save someone in distress, make a difference. It comes from a character in a show called Dragon Ball Z named Goku who has a pure heart and fights for people who can't defend themselves. Goku is always doing the right thing even when its hard, he stands up to villains who are much stronger than he is and never gives up.

  When I felt like giving up that quote from Goku has always motivated me, but I realized the other day that my favorite quote had a deeper meaning too. I noticed that the beginning of every sentence began with "I am", and that was the name that Jesus Christ told Moses when Israel asked what the name of God was.

Exodus 3:14
And God said unto Moses, I Am That I Am: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you.

  If Christ is the Great I Am then the quote has a whole new meaning. If we replace I am with Jesus Christ it becomes:

  Jesus Christ is the hope of the Universe. Jesus Christ is the answer to all living things that cry out for peace. Jesus Christ is protector of the innocent. Jesus Christ is the Light to the Darkness. Christ is truth. Ally to good! Nightmare to you!

  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6) Jesus Christ is our everything. He fought for us when we could not defend ourselves, He suffered all the pains and sorrow of the world so that we can be saved. He is the hope of the universe, the ally of good and the nightmare of evil. There is nothing we cannot overcome with the help of Christ. I know this is true, I know that through our Savior and Redeemer we can do anything, and I testify of these things in the sacred name of Jesus Christ. Amen.