2021 Month 5:4 (24-30 May)

 

SUPER FULL MOON (26 May 2021) Picture taken by grand-papa

When a Full Moon takes place when the Moon is near its closest approach to Earth, it is called a Super Full Moon.  This is what we saw this week and it was beautiful to behold.

"Yea, all things which come of the earth, in the season thereof, are made for the benefit and the use of man, both to please the eye and to gladden the heart;  And it pleaseth God that he hath given all these things unto man;" D&C 59: 18,20

My heart was also gladden and comforted this week by the scriptures and the testimonies of the missionaries.

We worked all week to get the missionaries from Tonga (7) to return home as we learned there was going to be a flight from Vanuatu to Tonga.  We were excited to learn this as it would be such a blessing for them to have a direct flight (which does not happen very often anymore).  Three out of the seven are at their release date this week and the other four are scheduled for August.  

Unfortunately we heard the day before the flight, that the government of Tonga would not accept any passenger on this flight because there was not enough place for quarantine- their quarantine is 21 days in Tonga.

To say that we were disappointed is an understatement.  I was crushed.  We were expecting all the missionaries of the mission that morning for a testimony meeting and cake and ice cream afterwards to say goodbye to our Tongan missionaries.  I could not face telling them the disappointing news.  I just could not stop crying.  I asked for a blessing to receive comfort and get a hold of myself.

After the opening hymn and prayer, grand-papa shared the sad news and we proceeded with the testimony meeting.  The testimonies, the scriptures and even the hymns that they shared, brought us all 

comfort and solace.   

In April 1986, President Ezra Taft Benson gave a wonderful talk on the "Power of the Word" I invite you to take the time to read it.  I would like to share some of his words:

"The word of God, as found in the scriptures, in the words of living prophets, and in personal revelation, has the power to fortify the Saints and arm them with the Spirit so they can resist evil, hold fast to the good, and find joy in this life."

"When individual members and families immerse themselves in the scriptures regularly and consistently, ...Testimonies will increase.  Commitment will be strengthened.  Families will be fortified.  Personal revelation will flow."

"Nephi promises that feasting upon the words of Christ "will tell you all things what ye should do." (2 Nephi 32:3).

" However diligent we may be in other areas, certain blessings are to be found only in the scriptures, only in coming to the word of the Lord and holding fast to it as we make our way through the mists of darkness to the tree of life."

I join President Benson in his plea to all of us:

"I urge you to recommit yourselves to a study of the scriptures.  Immerse yourselves in them daily so you will have the power of the Spirit to attend you in your callings (and I add our precious responsibilities as parents).  Read them in your families and teach your children to love and treasure them.

If you do so, you will find, as Alma did, that "the word has a great tendency to lead people to do that which is just, yea, it has more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else  (Alma 31:5).  Like Alma, I say unto you, 'It is expedient that you should try the virtues of the word of God'. "

 I have received in my life many valuable teachings and sweet comfort in the scriptures.  This week was no exception and I sincerely thank my Heavenly father for these blessings.

When we see smoke in the bush, we know it will be time to eat soon as many prepare a fire to cook their food.  It made me think of a scripture in Revelation 8:4 " And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand."  I imagined if I could see the prayers of the saints ascend up before God as those columns of smoke.

Mifala wisim yufala wan gudfala wik wetem fulap blesin.  Mifala lavem yufala tumas!