Our Many Blessings

Today is the day before Easter Sunday and I’ve just been reflecting on my blessings, one of which is obviously the opportunity I will have to serve in Nauvoo in 34 days…(not that I have a count-down or anything…).

The Lord is so good to His children.  I just think about all the blessings associated with this summer, either directly or indirectly and it can be overwhelming.  In the first place the Lord gave to us this life, with the intent that we would use it to rely on Him and follow the gospel plan for happiness.  Its easy to look at this plan and say “Great! When I get to the Celestial Kingdom I can be happy!” and see that happiness as a destination, but this isn’t what the Lord intended at all, of course He wants us all to join with Him in the Celestial Kingdom, but He also desires that we make choices that will enable us to “find joy in the journey.” I already know that Nauvoo is going to add so much lasting joy to my life both while I’m there and through the memories of serving in the city beautiful that I will carry with me forever.

Blessing number two is the blessing of our talents.  Everyone on Earth has them (yet another testimony of the goodness, mercy, and love of our Heavenly Father) Shortly after I received my call to serve in Nauvoo I sat down and thought it would be fun to map out all of the significant contributing factors that led to my being able to audition.  I started with a basic list of when I started into music, when I started singing, etc, and continued into how I came into contact with certain key people and found myself in a circumstance where I would find out about Nauvoo and be able to apply.  The list grew so fast and I was overwhelmed by the staggering evidence of the Lord’s guiding hand in my life, because I could see so many places where a little change and I wouldn’t be where I am today.

The third blessing and probably the most significant of all is what Apostle Neal A. Maxwell referred to as the Savior’s “relentless redemptiveness”.  I am so greatful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ, both for its power to wash away sin and guilt, to lift us when we fall, to keep the light of hope always shining brightly before us, as well as its wonderful power to strengthen us beyond our own capacities, to expand our hearts, our spirits, our minds, and our strength making us more than we were and more than we could ever have become on our own. The Atonement is beautiful.

All of these blessings, these gifts of love from Heaven, all remind me of a line from the lyrics that I love, which comes from “Lamb of God” by Rob Gardner which says “10,000 gifts could I employ, to show my praise, my thanks, my joy!  All of my life, yea, all my days, still not enough to sing Thy praise.” Ten thousand may seem like a lot at first glance, and it is, but I think it is such an understatement when we consider all the things the Lord gives His children, especially the blessings promised to those who have made and kept covenants with Him, and it will forever be impossible for us to repay the blessing bought with the life and blood, the agony and scorn, the pain and the resurrection of the ONE and ONLY PERFECT son of God, our Heavenly Father, the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ.  That price can never be repaid.  But, just as the limits of my stomach don’t stop me from trying to consume as much delisciousness as possible on Thanksgiving, I won’t let the limits of my mortal frame and lifespan hinder my attempts to always sing praises to my God.  I’m so excited, and grateful for the opportunity to do just that and sing, dance, and above all testify and live in such a way as to glorify Him.  Time has flown alarmingly fast since auditions in January, but still doesn’t quite seem to move fast enough.  Nauvoo here we come, and I can’t wait for the message we send out from there to go to all the world.