A few years ago a man went on a rampage from California to Texas killing and maiming several people. He was apprehended near Van Horn, Texas, where he was incarcerated, tried and convicted of murder. During the trial a local minister testified that, while in jail, the perpetrator had found the Lord, was a new man and that he should be shown mercy.
So what is the relationship between justice and mercy as it applies to each of us?
As we approach the Easter season, I would like to cite a sto ...
By Pastor Richard Snyder, retired
At the time of this writing there have been reported over 100,000 cases of Covid-19 and over 2,000 deaths in the United States. So far there have been no reported cases in Bandera County, but that could change. My son works at a local retail store and because of his daily encounter with many people he has isolated himself from me for my protection.
Theodore Tilton penned a poem entitled, “Even This Shall Pass Away”: Once in Persia reigned a king Who upon his signet ring Graved a maxim true and wise, Which, if held before his eyes Gave him counsel at a glance, Fit for every change and chance. Solemn words, and these are they: “Even this shall pass away.”
Trains of camels through the sand Brought his gems from Samarcand; Fleets of galleys through the seas Brought him pearls to match with these.
The eleventh chapter of John tells the story of the death of Lazarus and Jesus’ raising him from the dead. Jesus did not immediately rush to rescue him from death; instead He waited four days, or until there was no doubt that Lazarus was really dead. At that time many were questioning why Jesus waited so long.
I wish I knew the author of the following story so that I could give credit where credit is due. It was submitted by a student in a Sociology class taught by Dr. Reed H. Bradford at BYU back in the 1960’s. He shared it with other students and I have kept it all these years.
By Jey Ping
To prevent the spread of COVID-19, it is safe to say that we have all found our lives disrupted, giving up various aspects of our lives that we would have never anticipated just four weeks ago. As churches alter schedules and limit gatherings to small groups and online meetings, one of my friends somewhat jokingly shared, “I can’t say that I anticipated giving up church for Lent” this year.
In a discourse to a large audience gathered in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Thomas S. Monson related the following:
“Seventy-five years ago, on February 14, 1939, in Hamburg, Germany, a public holiday was celebrated. Amid fervent speeches, cheering throngs, and the playing of patriotic anthems, the new battleship Bismarck was put to sea via the River Elbe.
In 1964 it was customary in rural South America to clap one’s hands at the gate of the residence one wished to visit. In Uruguay, door bells were a rarity. It was at the height of Fidel Castro’s efforts to export Communism throughout Latin America and the bearded revolutionary was experiencing some success in his efforts.
My missionary companion clapped his hands and presently a man appeared at the door and shook his fist at us.
I recently spoke to a man whose problems seemed to overwhelm him. He was beginning to feel that his life on earth had become a failed enterprise and that perhaps, due to his perceived shortcomings, heaven might be out of reach for him.
Elder Paul V. Johnson, said that “earth life includes tests, trials and tribulations, and some trials we face in life can be excruciating.
