The Lord loves a good agricultural image. During His earthly ministry, he used them often in teaching opportunities. He especially loves teaching about missionary work in this way. “For behold the field is white already to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul” (D&C 4: 4).
But one thing often overlooked in these images is the amount of time it takes to bring forth the work. Think of the mustard seed, which needs many years to grow before birds can nest in mature branches (see Luke 13). The process is slow.

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This issue of Desert Saints Magazine focuses on counsel from President Monson, given in the October 2008 General Conference. He spoke of the changes that inevitably happen in our lives. Some are slow and imperceptible, some come suddenly. Some are expected, while others turn our lives upside down.

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My sweetheart and the funniest guy
you know, Dave Ellis.

What a great message our Father in Heaven gives us. Of all the names He could be known by, He chooses simply “Father.” More than any superlative title, He wants us to speak of Him with the term that reminds us of our close relationship to Him.

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I have loved being the editor of Desert Saints Magazine since its inception seven-and-a-half years ago. I am proud of the hundreds of articles we have brought to you over the years, meant to inform, uplift and entertain. I hope this magazine has been a blessing to your life in some small way. I know it has blessed my life in many ways.

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This month’s issue of Desert Saints Magazine is on simplifying our lives and de-cluttering our priorities. While we’re at it, I think now is as good a time as any to prune right to the trunk of the tree. It is becoming clearer every day that all “things,” meaning external stuff, are expendable and could be gone at any time.

So I propose looking at the very essence of who we are. We are Father in Heaven’s children who are covenant members of His church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We are on the earth in the final stages of preparation for the return of our Savior, Jesus Christ. The first sign of the Second Coming, by the way, was when God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith in the Sacred Grove in 1820. The hour is now very late.

We were told in the October 2008 general conference by an apostle that we are witnessing the fall of Babylon and it is time now to prepare ourselves for the coming of the Lord and the establishment of Zion. (See Elder Todd D. Christofferson, “Come to Zion.” Many other messages echoed this same tone.)
I suggest using this key piece of information in evaluating your life, your priorities, your finances and your heart.

The time is now for us to repent, set our hearts and lives in order, seek the face of the Lord, and keep His commands, whether from the scriptures or the voice of our living prophets, with exactness.

All the best,

Editor@DesertSaintsMagazine.com

This month, as Desert Saints Magazine celebrates love and marriage, I feel the need to remember the real definition of love.
True love is from God. It is the way in which He loves His children. It is the pure love of Jesus Christ, which we can both access and share with the world as we become more like Him.

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It’s always good to start the new year on a bright note. So here are a few things to make you smile:

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Although it was seventy seven degrees outside today, some radio stations are playing Christmas music, and the Santas are already at the mall, it doesn’t seem much like Christmas yet. This year, I have proposed a “service Christmas” for our family. I didn’t get much of a response; I think they were all too busy chewing their potatoes to notice.

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