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Gospel Principles

Five Ways to Get Your Scrooge on This Christmas

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The word “scrooge”entered the English language around the year 1899, more than fifty years after the publication of A Christmas Carol. The word, to no one’s surprise, means “a miserly person” and feels very apt when we think of portrayals of the character Mr. Ebeneezer Scrooge by actors like Jim Carrey and Michael Caine.

But in our modern culture, we seem to have forgotten that while Scrooge may have started off as a miser—a “squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner” as Dickens says—he did not stay that way (2). In fact, the reason why A Christmas Carol still resonates with audiences around the globe is because Scrooge changes.

At the end of the short novella, Scrooge is a different man, one who was generous with everything he had, who reconnected with his family and those around him, and who “knew how to keep Christmas well” (68).

As Elder Gong has said, “Why don’t we remember that [new] Mr. Scrooge? Are there those around us, perhaps we ourselves, who could be a different person if only we would stop typecasting or stereotyping them as their old self? . . . Let’s give the new Scrooge in each of us a chance to change” (Christ, Our Savior, Is Born, 2023).

In the spirit of a miserly man who changes into a truly generous soul, here are five ways we can be more like Ebeneezer Scrooge this Christmas:

1) Reconnect with Family and Friends

In any version of A Christmas Carol, the audience sees Scrooge’s extremely affable nephew, Fred, visit his uncle at his place of business, inviting him to Christmas dinner. But Scrooge, of course, refuses.

However, the Ghost of Christmas Present shows Scrooge his nephew celebrating Christmas with his family. And while Fred does make Scrooge the object of a joke, Fred is also trying to defend him. “His offences carry their own punishment, and I have nothing to say against him,” says Fred (45).

At the end of his journey, Scrooge reconnects with Fred, who was so excited to see him that “it was a mercy he didn’t shake his arm off” (67). Scrooge did his best to love and support his nephew and, of course, Tiny Tim.

What can you do to reconnect with your friends and family? Perhaps you can text someone you haven’t for a while, or call an aunt or uncle who lives far away. Be like Scrooge and reach out to your loved ones this Christmas.

2) Give Generously

My favorite part of A Christmas Carol is when Scrooge becomes a generous man. He buys a prize turkey for the Cratchit family, raises Bob’s salary, and gives to all around him. This is perhaps the most obvious sign of Scrooge’s change—that he goes from keeping a tight grip on all his wealth to being generous with everything he has because he learned from the Ghost of Christmas Future that he could not take any of his possessions with him. So, he gives.

Perhaps you could visit one of the Giving Machines throughout the world or donate time through JustServe. Perhaps you can donate to a charitable cause or spend time making blankets for local children in need. Be like Scrooge and give generously this Christmas.

3) Let Go of the Past

Perhaps the saddest part of Scrooge’s story is when he sees his fiancée, who tells him, “. . . another idol has displaced me; and if it can cheer and comfort you in time to come, as I would have tried to do, I have no just cause to grieve” (27).

Scrooge never mentions this long-lost love again, but I think it is telling that he says to the Ghost of Christmas Past, “Why do you delight to torture me?” (28). By the end of his journey, Scrooge has made peace with his past and is trying to move on despite what happened to him. He tries to be a friend to others, he gives of himself, he keeps his family close instead of pushing them away . . . these are all evidence that Scrooge has let go of the past to find peace in his future.

What can you do to let go of the past? Perhaps there is someone you need to forgive. Perhaps it is yourself. Perhaps it is time to let go of possessions or other memories that have become a burden to you and move forward with faith. Be like Scrooge and let go of your past this Christmas.

4) Mentor Others

One of the most crucial moments of Scrooge’s journey was when he saw the too-pure-for-this-world Tiny Tim. “‘Spirit,’ said Scrooge, with an interest he had never felt before, ‘tell me if Tiny Tim will live.’” (40). The line “with an interest he had never felt before” is telling—Tiny Tim awoke a protective urge in Scrooge he had not felt previously with any of his tenants and their problems, nor with his employees.

Tiny Tim helps motivate Scrooge’s change, resulting in Scrooge becoming “a second father” to Tiny Tim (68). He mentored and admired Tiny Tim because he thought of others more than himself. 

What can you do to mentor others? Perhaps you can help your children perform Secret Santa for someone else. Perhaps you can talk with a sibling, a friend, or a coworker about what they’re going through in their life. Be like Scrooge and mentor others this Christmas.

5) Honor Christmas in Your Heart

Scrooge’s change was cemented when he promised the Ghost of Christmas Future, “I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach!” (62).

This is the culmination of his entire arc—he learned how Christmas could change people as they celebrated the holiday as families, drawing closer to each other. The Ghosts are the Ghosts of Christmases Past, Present, and Future, after all. Scrooge learned to honor Christmas and did so not only on the day of Christmas, but every day throughout the year thereafter.

What can you do this year to honor Christmas in your heart now and throughout the year? Perhaps you read the Christmas story every few months to remember why this season matters. Perhaps you keep a reminder on your desk of the Savior to keep Him in your thoughts. Be like Scrooge and honor Christmas in your heart—and try to keep it all the year.

 At the end of Scrooge’s journey, he had a tough road ahead of him. To the gentleman who had asked for donations the day before who was now completely incredulous at Mr. Scrooge’s greeting to him, Scrooge says, “That is my name, and I fear it may not be pleasant to you” (66). Scrooge had to work to help others realize he had changed.

We can help continue Scrooge’s good work by showing others the best of this remarkable character, helping others see that he had truly become a good man—“as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man as the good old city [ever] knew” (68).

All book quotes from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, Dover Thrift Edition 1991 reprint of the 1843 edition.

KaTrina Jackson

KaTrina Jackson loves penguins, cross-stitching, chocolate, and piano music, and spends much of each day trying to fit those loves in around her jobs as a freelance editor and as a project manager for Eschler Editing. She graduated with a degree in editing and publishing from Brigham Young University because she couldn’t get enough stories in her life. She’s also a member of three different writing groups, attends and teaches at multiple writing conferences yearly, volunteers with LDSPMA and has since 2021, and is currently working on publishing her first novel. When she’s not writing, editing, or reading, she can be found practicing yoga, teaching piano lessons or performing with her husband, or watching Disney movies while working on a cross-stitch project. She and her husband live in Olathe, Kansas.

    A Complete Life of Color

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    I can’t remember a time when art hasn’t been part of my life. It’s always been more than just a hobby—it’s been a way for me to make sense of things that words can’t really explain. It taught me how to slow down, give details the attention they deserve, and prioritize quality over just a completed product.

    Learning these qualities helped with my perfectionism. I have a desire for excellence that honestly isn’t always healthy and threatens to turn my hobbies into chores. But art taught me to enjoy the process rather than fixating on getting everything perfect. The more patient I was with myself and the process, the more I could enjoy creating and developing my skills.

    The lessons I learned through my paint, canvas, colored pencils, and sketchbooks served as metaphors for life. Through the application of color, I learned to appreciate the whole spectrum of human experiences. I can apply that artistic mindset to every challenge and triumph. That perspective helped me realize that just as I use complementary colors like yellow and purple to create depth, life is built on that same principle of contrast and opposition.

    But it’s a lot easier to understand this principle than to live it. Opposition isn’t just something that we must endure—it’s a fundamental truth that has existed since the beginning of time. The world needs night to have day. Animals graze, and predators prey on them. Summer gives way to winter. Life guarantees we’ll face opposition, and the wise understand that struggles are actually a gift, that enduring hardships helps us live a richer life.

    Good artists know that complementary colors create depth because they’re opposite each other on the color wheel, making them more vivid when placed side by side. Life works the same way—if we never experience the deep purples of sorrow, we can never fully appreciate the brilliant yellows of joy. Without one, the other loses its meaning. A life carefully sheltered from hardship might feel safe and comfortable. Some might argue that it is not worth the risk of another failed relationship, trying out for the team again, or taking a chance that might result in pain, but I invite you to appreciate your heartbreak. A person who avoids all adversity can’t fully experience the depth that struggle makes possible.

    The next time sadness comes—and it will—try to resist shaking your fist at it or rushing past it. Instead, take time to feel it. Notice what emotions are moving through your heart and soul. With time, something good will eventually happen. One day, someone good will come around, you’ll make the team, or you’ll triumph in some way. Your spectrum will be complete, and you will live a life full of all the best colors.

    In contrast to your previous sadness, this good thing will illuminate your soul in a way that shallow pleasure never could. There’s no replacement for that happiness—the joy that comes from emerging through genuine sorrow.

    I’ve walked through my share of dark valleys. I felt the grief of my friend’s drowning, and the loss of my grandfather when I was thousands of miles from home. Each brought intense pain—the deep purples and blues of my emotional spectrum. Yet the worst moments of my life were when I shut down completely, and my spectrum converted to grayscale.

    By the end of my senior year, the numbness from school pressures and responsibilities had turned into creative burnout. I was making art for portfolios and grades—not because I was inspired or excited to do it. Each piece was assigned to me, so every brushstroke seemed forced. I wasn’t connected to my work anymore. My art, which had taught me about patience and joy, had become just another source of stress. During that time, I felt nothing at all. Not sadness, not joy, not even anger—just a dull gray that stretched across my landscape. I would have given anything to feel sadness again, to feel anything. I needed to know I could still feel. I pleaded with God, “Please just let me cry again.”

    I learned that even the darkest colors are necessary. My struggles were specific to me and my journey, and they became essential preparation for what came next.

    At the beginning of summer, a friend asked me to paint his copy of the Book of Mormon. It felt like an epiphany. It was a way for me to step back into art, to use one of my talents to serve other people. I made an Instagram post offering to paint custom copies of the Book of Mormon for friends who’d received mission calls, and I got a lot of excited responses.

    When I paint those books, I make them as specific as possible to each person so my friends know they mean something to me. For one of my friends serving in New Mexico, I painted the state flag, with hot chili peppers and colors that capture that New Mexico vibe. For my friend who had won the state championship in a track-and-field relay with his teammate—who was also called to the same mission in Australia—I painted a hand exchanging a baton over two different books. When you put them together, you get the whole picture, all in Australia’s colors.

    The Spirit prompted me to write a letter to one of my friends in his book. He later texted me, saying, “That message really meant a lot to me. I was going through a really hard time.”

    I may never know how much receiving a painted book truly means in the moment. I’m sure my friends are grateful and think it’s cool. But I hope they realize later that it came from my desire to serve my Lord. As the scriptures say, “When ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your God.” I serve others because I love Him and because I love the people I’m serving.

    I learned that darkness is necessary in life and art, and that creating without purpose and intention makes the process feel incomplete. Because I knew what it felt like to be disconnected from my gifts, I now treasure the connection between creativity and service. The gray numbness I experienced helped me recognize color and feeling as sacred gifts. The contrast is what makes it meaningful—the purple makes the yellow more brilliant.

    Painting those books didn’t just reignite my love for art. It taught me, in the most tangible way, what it means to live a Christlike life—to embrace the full spectrum as He did. Christ is my ultimate inspiration for creating art and living fully. He is the first creator and encourages us to be creators as well. He is the light and the life of the world. His birth brought light, and his death brought darkness. He taught us that sadness is often the price we pay for lasting joy, and that the contrast itself is sacred.

    That’s how you live a beautiful, full-spectrum life. It’s actually pretty simple—but simple in a grand way, as all profound truths are when you take everything else away. Not by avoiding the hard colors or muting them, but by embracing them as essential parts of the complete picture. When you do, you discover that the contrast isn’t just bearable—it’s beautiful, and it’s what makes life worth living.

    A headshot of Aidan Pehrson.

    Aidan Pehrson

    Aidan Pehrson is a track-and-field athlete competing for Snow College. In addition to running, he enjoys painting, boating, surfing, and spending time with friends and family. He plans to leave on an LDS mission this summer.

      Understanding Life by Studying the Craft

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      In my master’s program in English and creative writing, I took a class called “Studying the Craft.” The coursework explored how elements of dramatic narrative create tension and reveal a character’s inner conflicts. By learning the mechanics of plot and character development, I discovered parallels to our earthly journeys.

      Here are five storytelling insights that can help us understand life.

      1. Themes Shape Our Perspectives

      We can interpret our life stories by reflecting on how external experiences reshape our internal perspectives. Tracing the connections between our challenges and growth helps us find purpose in our suffering, transform limiting beliefs, deepen spiritual understanding, and strengthen our connection to our Creator.

      In Les Misérables, Victor Hugo’s main character, Jean Valjean, is a convict embittered by years of unjust imprisonment. His foil, Inspector Javert, relentlessly pursues Valjean, driven by a strict sense of justice. In contrast, a saintly bishop, representing the story’s moral archetype, forgives Valjean for stealing silver candlesticks and offers him mercy. This act helps Valjean feel God’s love and serves as his catalyst for transformation. Applying the themes of mercy and justice to his story deepens Valjean’s understanding of Christ’s atonement and grace.

      Similarly, we can recognize eternal truths by looking beneath the surface to find the themes in our lives. Our trials often contain lessons for spiritual growth. People who enter our lives may serve as instruments of divine instruction. Even ordinary experiences can reveal extraordinary spiritual teachings when approached with faithful contemplation and an open heart.

      2. Everyone Has a Growth Arc

      Like our favorite literary characters, our motivations drive our actions and shape our personalities. We can’t fairly judge a person unless we read their complete story.

      Take, for instance, Jane Austen’s Emma. If we, by chance, turn to the page where Emma advises Harriet to refuse Robert Martin’s marriage proposal, we might dismiss Emma as snobbish, pushy, and selfish. And while there’s truth to this view, we don’t understand the whole picture. Emma is also bright, witty, a devoted daughter, imaginative (sometimes overly so), a doting aunt, and a philanthropist, though her privileged upbringing makes her naive to the world’s complexities beyond her small social circle.

      When we understand her character within the context of Regency England, with its emphasis on advantageous marriages, we can judge her actions with more empathy. Through her struggles, Emma recognizes flaws in her thinking and evolves. She becomes the woman Jane Austen intended her to be—humble, open to wise counsel, and striving to improve.

      This literary growth mirrors our own lives. We are here to learn from experience, but it’s up to us to change. Austen didn’t want a static heroine. Likewise, God wants us to learn, grow, change, and expand our perspectives continually.

      Sometimes we get so caught up in our character development that we forget others are in the middle of their own arcs. Recognizing this truth reminds us not to condemn people for their actions. Emma wounded many people on her journey to become a better person. Similarly, we will hurt others on our paths to become more Christlike. We hope for their forgiveness, just as we extend grace and love to those who might harm us along the way.

      3. Conflict Makes Our Stories Interesting

      A story where nothing bad happens to the main character would have no purpose. As we read in the scriptures, all things must have opposition (see 2 Nephi 2:11). Without darkness, we can’t appreciate light; without defeats, we can’t understand triumphs. Suffering gives our existence meaning. This knowledge doesn’t make the hard times easy. However, we can endure them well, learn from them, and view them as essential parts of our journey. Often, the most challenging chapters lead to the most significant change.

      Consider the choice faced by Hercules as he stood at a crossroads. In the story, a goddess representing Vice entices him with comfort and pleasure while a goddess representing Virtue offers him a life of challenge and struggle. Hercules chooses the second path because he knows he is destined for greatness.

      Instead of blaming God, we might ask who we will become by conquering our trials. We can trust that the divine Author knows our story’s details intimately. He understands our motivations, the purpose behind our afflictions, and the lessons we will learn through each plot twist. Then, after the crisis has passed, we can look around for others we can serve.

      4. All Is Never Lost

      There comes a time in every story—and in life—when it seems like giving up is the only option. The protagonist alienates their friends, makes countless mistakes, and fails in some significant way. But these challenging moments aren’t meant to be avoided—they’re meant to be experienced. The beautiful truth of narratives and life is that things always get better.

      For example, when Jane Eyre leaves Mr. Rochester and Thornfield Hall, she is alone, penniless, and on the brink of starvation. The reader fears there is no hope for her. She might have remained safe if she had stayed to marry Mr. Rochester despite his attic-bound wife, but she would have sacrificed her sense of self, her independence, and her moral integrity.

      These challenging moments are catalysts. They force characters—and people—to find reserves of strength they didn’t know they possessed. Jane’s hardship was not a punishment, but a means to discover her true character, establish her moral compass, and ultimately return to Mr. Rochester as his equal.

      We will all face similar moments when hope seems distant and the path is unclear. But we can always turn the page. President Nelson’s repeated counsel to “Let God Prevail,” “Hear Him,” and “Think Celestial” reminds us that we’re part of a larger narrative. Each day is a fresh chapter waiting to be written. When darkness approaches, we can turn to our divine Creator for mercy, comfort, and peace because He knows the next plot beat and is carefully guiding us back to Him.

      5. Find Symbolism in Experiences

      Symbols convey meanings that extend beyond their literal representations, helping readers connect with the story on a deeper level. They convey truths, help us remember essential concepts, and enrich our spiritual insight. By recognizing and interpreting the symbols in our lives, we will gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world.

      In The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Hester Prynne suffers the injustices of Puritan society. For the sin of committing adultery, religious authorities force her to wear a scarlet letter A as a public symbol of shame. Hester adopts this symbol by elaborately embroidering the A onto her clothing and dressing her child in red even after the law no longer requires her to do so. She reclaims her identity by transforming the emblem of shame into one of goodness and strength.

      By carefully examining our experiences, we reveal the meanings of symbols in our own lives. Often, symbols can only be understood retrospectively as we revisit our lives, pray, and ponder God’s messages to us. He promises that if we approach Him with humility and faith, He will strengthen our weaknesses. Like Hester Prynne, we are imperfect beings marked by sin, but no symbol of shame is beyond redemption. We can grow stronger and overcome our challenges by acknowledging the lessons we’ve learned.

      The art of storytelling echoes the truths of human existence. Elements that shape our favorite stories are the same forces that form our lives. The gospel of Jesus Christ assures us that no conflict is insurmountable and no failure is final. We are not static characters, but protagonists in an eternal work. Every day, we write and rewrite our stories with courage, humility, and trust in the divine Author, who sees the whole arc of our potential.

      Headshot of Kami Pehrson.

      Kami Pehrson

      Kami Pehrson lives with her husband and five teenage children in Stansbury Park, Utah. She recently finished her master’s degree in English and creative writing and has written three novels—but is still trying to figure out what to do with them. She loves editing, reading, and playing word games on her phone. She also enjoys listening to audiobooks while half-heartedly doing Pilates in the living room.





            



        Representing the Savior on Stage

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        Photo from the 2019 Hill Cumorah Pageant.

        The theater has been an important part of Latter-day Saint culture from the very beginning. One of the most prominent buildings erected in Nauvoo was the cultural hall, where the Saints would gather to enjoy concerts, plays, and other performing arts that celebrated the life of the Savior and taught other important gospel concepts. Visitors to Nauvoo can still attend events held in the cultural hall to this day, and it’s a marvelous experience.

        As Latter-day Saint creators today, we frequently feel a pull to use our talents for the same objective—to honor the Savior and to convey our love for Him to others. I personally feel this is the most important use of our talents, and perhaps even why we were given them in the first place. As with all gifts, however, there are ways to use them appropriately, and this is especially true when it comes to depicting the Savior in our dramatic works.

        Several years ago, I had the opportunity to serve on the Church’s music and cultural arts committee. We had the task of reading over scripts and musical compositions submitted by Church members to determine whether they were appropriate to be performed within our meetings. This committee no longer exists, but I certainly did enjoy my time there.

        As part of our process, we evaluated each piece for the following criteria, which you can use as well in examining your own work.

        Is the Savior Depicted on Stage?

        Great care should be taken in how we show the Savior in our theatrical productions. We should demonstrate reverence in every respect, including how the actor is costumed and who is chosen to play that role. As per the Church Handbook, the Savior may be portrayed by a man “of wholesome personal character” (Chapter 20: Activities 20.5.6). Additionally, the Primary may portray the Savior in Nativity scenes, but should not depict Heavenly Father or the Holy Ghost (See Chapter 12: Primary 12.5.5).

        Is the Savior Quoted Correctly?

        While other characters in our play may be fictional and we might use our imaginations to create dialogue for them, the actor portraying the Savior should only speak lines taken directly from the scriptures, without adding anything extra. It’s best to check the script carefully to make sure we have quoted the Savior’s words as accurately as possible. An excellent example is found in the Bible and Book of Mormon videos the Church has produced over the last several years. As I watch them, I feel as though the scriptures have come to life before my eyes, which helps me understand and appreciate them more. Attending a play that reverently features the words of the Savior can likewise be a testimony-building experience.

        Is a Testimony of the Savior the Prevailing Message?

        If you ever had the opportunity to see the Manti Pageant or the Hill Cumorah Pageant, you’ll remember how those productions made Christ the focus of the story. While they depicted the difficulties experienced by the early Saints (in the case of the Manti Pageant) and the wars between the Lamanites and Nephites (both the Manti Pageant and the Hill Cumorah Pageant), the message was brought back to the hope that Jesus Christ gives to all of us. Depictions of sin, war, and conflict should be kept in careful balance, and the audience should be left with feelings of hope, joy, and reverence.

        Our Personal Preparation

        I can think of no subject more daunting than writing about the Savior. Because the subject is so immense, no author could truly write something that adequately conveys everything that He is, but this does not mean we shouldn’t try. Again, we were given our talents so that we might share our testimonies with others, and our attempts don’t have to be perfect.

        I suggest that as we embark on these projects, we prepare ourselves in the following ways:

        1. Study the life of the Savior and His actual words as found in the New Testament and the Book of Mormon.
        2. Look up conference talks and other addresses that focus on the Savior and His mission.
        3. Pray earnestly for inspiration so that we may be guided in what to say and how to present it.
        4. Attend the temple when location and circumstances permit and seek guidance there.
        5. Seek out positive examples of the type of art we wish to create and study them to determine why they are successful in conveying their themes.

        The most important element in our preparation is our willingness to humble ourselves and allow the Spirit to teach us how to create. It’s far too easy to let our artistic egos take the upper hand, but when we’re seeking to write something that truly has the power to carry messages to the hearts of our viewers, we should step back and let the Spirit take the lead, for that is the true way people are touched.

        Theater is just one medium through which we can teach others about the Savior, but it’s certainly powerful. It not only touches the audience, but the cast as well. When we choose such an uplifting topic and show it the reverence it deserves, the experience can change lives.

        A headshot of Tristi Pinkston.

        Tristi Pinkston

        Tristi Pinkston is the mother of four, the wife of one, the author of one hundred and seventy-five, and the editor of oodles. She serves as the chairman of the board for the Bear Lake Arts Council and participates enthusiastically (if not with utmost skill) in their theatrical productions. She is currently the editor-in-chief for the resource library here on the LDSPMA website. You can learn more about her on her website.

          Using YouTube and Social Media to Inspire and Help Others Grow Spiritually

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          The social media community can be overwhelming, negative, suffocating, and even toxic, but it doesn’t always have to be this way. If we remember we are all children of God with the light of Christ in our souls, social media can become a connecting, encouraging, and uplifting place.

          Almost every person I know is somehow involved in this online world. Some people thrive on posting about their lives while others are bystanders who just like to consume content. When I decided I wanted to build my own space on YouTube, I had two goals in mind:

          1. Inspire people to start living life to the fullest.
          2. Share my testimony with the world.

          That is how Never Ends Now, my YouTube channel, was created.

          My husband and I were driving from Utah County to our home in St. George. This drive was very familiar to us, and we often used the time to talk about how we wanted our channel to go. I told him how I wanted to take the fear out of living and persuade people to find the good in their current situations. I wanted us to be unique and adventurous and take full advantage of our time on earth. That’s when my husband suggested that we do things we have never done and call the channel Never Ends Now. I fell in love with the concept, and now, that is what we do weekly!

          YouTube started out as a fun way to document our growing family, but when our channel took off, we decided to make a career out of creating and publishing videos of our experiences. Our platform consists of us starting a family, traveling the world, and everything in between. Our biggest hope is that others will go out and try things they’ve never done and appreciate the joy in life.

          Staying Grounded

          The more engagement you receive, the more profit you make, and so it’s easy to get caught up in the numbers when you’re relying on your social media income. I often find myself consumed by questions like, “How many views did I get?”, “Why didn’t people like this post as much as the other one?”, or “What’s trending, and how can I follow along?” Remembering my two goals keeps me grounded when I find myself wandering down those paths. As long as I’ve inspired people and shared my testimony in every video, I’ve learned to be satisfied with whatever the resulting numbers may be.

          Shining Authentic Light

          I’m an all-or-nothing kind of person, so I tend to get carried away sometimes. In the beginning, I would try extremely hard to bring up God or a principle of the gospel in any way that I could. I wanted to make sure I shared my testimony with the world. My pure intention was there, but honestly, it didn’t feel authentic. I felt like a child being told what to say in a fast and testimony meeting. I came to realize that I don’t necessarily have to speak my testimony for others to hear, but I can show my testimony where others will see. I stopped trying to force it and just shared my beliefs through the way I lived. This understanding brought me joy and creativity instead of pressure.

          Showing Your Testimony

          When my daughter was born, I remember editing the video and feeling so anxious about posting it to the world. Her birth was one of my most sacred experiences, and I wasn’t sure if I was ready to share something so personal. I didn’t want to pollute it by letting the world have access. After praying about my decision, I decided to move forward and upload it. It became one of our highest-viewed videos. I received comments and messages from complete strangers about how much the video impacted them. I realized that the Spirit was able to testify to everyone watching without me even opening my mouth. I believe in eternal families. I believe that bringing life into this world is a sacred thing. I believe that the veil is open, and heaven is so close when a child is born. None of my beliefs were spoken aloud, yet the Spirit was able to touch people’s hearts about these truths.

          You don’t need a formal testimony to be a light on social media. God magnifies efforts and the Spirit always testifies of truth in any form. Living a life patterned after the Savior’s example is testament enough for the world to notice.

          A headshot of Aspen Bailey.

          Aspen Bailey

          Aspen Bailey and her husband, Drake, are popular YouTube creators documenting their lives as Latter-Day Saints, parents of their daughter, Rainee, and having new adventures. You can see their channel here.

            Creating Hymns from Scriptures

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            By Michael D. Young

            Some of the greatest hymns are closely linked to passages of scripture. For example, the song “Press Forward, Saints” in the current hymnbook is based directly on a passage from 2 Nephi 31:20. In this case, the author took the message and even some of the exact wording from the scripture and created a hymn that has been sung in sacrament meeting and general conference. In fact, it was specifically written because there were not enough hymns based on passages from the Book of Mormon.

            Adapting a passage of scripture, however, presents its own unique challenges. There is a delicate balancing act between maintaining the message and themes of the original scripture while still creating a text that conforms to the conventions of rhyme and meter. Every adaptation is going to look a little different, but there are several guidelines that could help you craft your gospel masterpiece.

            Looking for Themes

            Before you start writing, take the time to read the scripture carefully, pray, and ponder the meaning of the passage. Listen to the promptings of the Spirit and see what parts of the passage stand out the most. With this guidance, look for key phrases or words that could serve as the basis for the song’s lyrics or chorus. These phrases will help tie the song to the scripture and make it more memorable. Often, an entire song idea can grow from a single important word or phrase. For example, if you read Amos 3:7, you could take the phrase “His servants, the prophets” and write a text based on that phrase.

            Using Exact Wording vs. Paraphrasing

            You will want to consider how much of the scripture you want to use word-for-word and how much you want to paraphrase. Both of these methods can be successful.

            Consider Handel’s timeless work Messiah. The majority of this oratorio adapts the scriptures exactly. For example, Handel builds an entire chorus on this well-known scripture: “Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world” (See John 1:29). He uses all of the words exactly. Then again, many composers have created songs based on the 23rd Psalm, where they paraphrase the words but keep all of the ideas intact. A good example of this is called “Brother James’s Air.” Listen to it here.

            Thinking about Perspective

            If you decide to paraphrase, consider the point of view. Are you writing from a first-person perspective? This puts you in the shoes of the speaker, whether it is a prophet or another scriptural character. Some texts are written from the perspective of the Savior. This can result in personal, insightful texts, but you also need to be careful to write these respectfully. You can also write from your own perspective or as a third-person observer. Sometimes it makes sense to try your texts from different perspectives to see which you like best.

            Using Repetition for Emphasis

            Repetition is a powerful tool in songwriting and can be used to reinforce the key theme of the passage. Consider repeating certain phrases or words throughout the song to help drive home the message. One good example of this is the hymn “Holy, Holy, Holy.” Even the title repeats the main theme. The hymn uses the refrain “holy, holy, holy” when talking about God throughout the hymn, which ties the whole text together. Listen to this hymn here.

            Considering the Audience

            When writing the song, consider the intended audience. Will the song be used in a worship setting or for personal reflection? This will help guide the tone and style of the song. Is it something you see being presented in sacrament meeting, or would it fit better in a fireside or on a youth album? When in doubt, read the text to others and ask them if it is appropriate for the intended setting.

            You also want to make sure the language is at the level of your audience. Sometimes scriptural language can be confusing because it uses words that are not common today. When adapting the scriptures for a younger audience, ensure that you use clear, simple language that children will understand.

            Using Attributions

            Whenever you paraphrase a scripture or quote from it directly, you should attribute it on your sheet music. Most of the time, it is enough to say “based on” or “inspired by” and then give the scripture reference. Looking up the reference can help the listener understand the text better and gain a deeper understanding of the original passage.

            Bringing Listeners Nearer to God

            President Spencer W. Kimball once said, “Some of the greatest sermons that have ever been preached were preached by the singing of a song.” (Hymns, ix.) When adapting the scriptures into songs, you are accessing a powerful delivery system that can help the doctrines of Christ reach deep into people’s hearts. Well-crafted songs have the power to inspire and change lives, and there is no better foundation for these songs than the scriptures.

            A headshot of Michael Young.

            Michael D. Young

            Though Michael grew up traveling the world with his military father, he now lives in Utah with his wife, Jen, and their three children. He played for several years with the handbell choir Bells on Temple Square and is now a member of the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square. He is the author of the novels in The Canticle Kingdom Series, The Last Archangel Series, the Chess Quest Series, and the Penultimate Dawn Cycle (The Hunger), as well as several non-fiction works, including An Advent Carols Countdown, The Song of the Righteous and As Saints We Sing.  Visit his website to learn more.

              God Prepares a Way: 5 Lessons from a BYU Student’s Opera about 1 Nephi

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              CJ Madsen leads the orchestra in the premiere performance of He Shall Prepare a Way

              He Shall Prepare a Way, an opera premiered in Provo in 2022, dramatizes the story of Lehi’s family procuring the Brass Plates and departing into the wilderness. All three performances of the new opera were met with at-capacity crowds and standing ovations.

              On paper, however, the opera should not have happened at all.

              The show was hosted not in a top-notch performance venue, but on a tiny stage in a church cultural hall. The funds came not from ticket sales nor grant money, but from dozens of personal donations. And the composer should not even have had the time to write it.

              The story of the making of He Shall Prepare a Way teaches us 5 powerful lessons about launching creative projects in the Lord’s way.

              Lesson 1: Go and do what the Lord commands—even when it seems “a hard thing”

              Lehi and Sariah ponder the tender mercies of the Lord as they process the implications of Lehi’s prophetic call

              In early 2018, CJ Madsen, a music major at BYU, was in the thick of orchestrating and directing rehearsals for a work based on 3 Nephi named One Fold, One Shepherd. His wife had just had their second child. It was then that a BYU opera professor approached CJ and said, “You know what would be cool? If you wrote an opera about Nephi getting the Brass Plates.”

              Audibly, CJ responded, “Oh, yeah, cool idea!”

              Inwardly, he was thinking, “AAAAAAAA!!! Composing another massive musical work is the last thing I want to think about right now.”

              But God had other plans.

              The idea kept weighing on CJ’s mind. A couple months later, CJ saw the Church’s film Days of Harmony, about Joseph Smith and the translation of the Book of Mormon. CJ recalls, “As I saw Joseph muster the faith to put in the time and energy to translate the Book of Mormon—in the midst of farm work, a growing family, building a home, and opposition—the Spirit rocked my soul, and I knew I needed to do this opera.”

              Lesson 2: If God tells you His timing, follow it

              Lehi rebukes Laman and Lemuel for their murmuring

              Over the next year, CJ intermittently wrote a third of the opera. Then in July 2019, he and his wife felt strongly impressed that he needed to finish the remaining 14 songs by the first day of school—in 4 weeks. Through many early-morning composing sessions, he did it.

              With the score completed, CJ assembled a cast of 40 singers to perform a concert reading (singing only, without acting or props). Some numbers were only rehearsed once or twice before the performance, a remarkable feat considering the opera is packed with sudden key changes, non-Western scales, and 7/4 time signatures.

              The cast performed to a full BYU recital hall in October 2019. The concert reading test-ran the opera and gathered invaluable feedback for refining the score and libretto.

              Six months later, Covid-19 shut down every performance venue for 2020 and 2021. Had CJ ignored God’s timing and delayed the composition process, the pandemic would have set the opera back by several years. 

              Lesson 3: Harness the power of personal connections

              Nephi, dressed in Laban’s robes and carrying his sword, obtains the plates of brass

              By the summer of 2021, CJ had revised the opera and was ready to finally put on a fully staged production. To do so, he would need to assemble a cast of 26 highly skilled opera singers, 14 chorus members, and 26 orchestra players, in addition to a team of techies, ushers, seamstresses, and videographers. All would need to be experts in their role and willing to give dozens of hours of volunteer time.

              CJ gathered his team purely on the power of personal connections.

              “If you’ve done anything with music at BYU, then you know CJ,” a close friend explains. “In his eight years at BYU, he has accompanied, sung in, or directed every choir at BYU. He’s accompanied dozens of instrumental recitals and opera rehearsals. But more than that, he knows your name. He remembers who you are. And he’s always excited to see you, even if you were just somebody in that one class that one semester.”

              When it came time to assemble the cast, CJ sent dozens of personal emails, inviting friends and connections to fill specific parts. His team included BYU students, alumni, friends, family, ward members, friends-of-friends, and even a couple strangers that he met on BYU campus and invited on the spot to join him.

              Lesson 4: Share your vision and invite people to support you

              Nephi restrains Zoram outside the walls of Jerusalem

              As CJ and his wife, Samm, faced the daunting goal of producing a staged opera, they decided they needed to fundraise all the money needed before production started.

              How would they raise the money? Rather than grants or an online Kickstarter campaign, CJ turned to his strength in piano performance. He planned a series of 20 piano concerts in the homes of friends and acquaintances, where he would take requests, play classical and pop favorites, share some of his opera, and ask for donations. The home concerts would serve the added purpose of raising awareness and excitement for the opera. And because each host would invite their circle of friends and neighbors to attend, CJ could reach people he never would have reached otherwise.

              The home concert series faced initial setbacks, but word began to spread. Donations began to come in, and miracles continued. CJ recounts: “One woman, not even a member of the Church, asked to meet with Samm and me privately after a home concert. She explained she had received a large inheritance and wanted to give us $7,000 dollars.”

              Between this and hundreds of other donations, CJ eventually fundraised over $30,000 for the opera.

              Lesson 5: God will prepare miracles to overcome setbacks

              Laman threatens to slay Nephi in the wilderness, when one of the daughters of Ishmael intervenes

              “The title He Shall Prepare a Way is perfect for this opera,” CJ’s wife, Samm, reflects. “Whenever we would face an obstacle, we would just take a step back and say, ‘God will prepare a way.’ And He would.”

              Below are just two of the many obstacles and corresponding miracles in the production process:

              • Orchestrating the opera: CJ’s only available time to orchestrate the 2-hour work was in the early mornings of fall 2021. But with three kids in their two-bedroom student apartment, a sleeping family member occupied almost every room in the apartment. “Most of my writing came at 4 am, in our bathroom,” CJ recalls. “Most of the time I never touched the piano as I orchestrated. I count it as another miracle that I was able to make any of that orchestration work without piano help.”
              • Finding a venue: “We scoured Utah Valley looking for ideal locations,” CJ recalls. Every place they contacted was either not available or too expensive. They started looking into church buildings but had trouble getting permission to take over a cultural hall for several weeks. “The thought came to do it at OUR meetinghouse. At first, we laughed. Our meetinghouse? It was half the size of normal church stages, there was hardly any lighting, and there wasn’t any backstage. How in the world could we do that? But the Spirit insisted.” Thanks to CJ’s (you guessed it!) personal connections with stake leadership, he procured the needed permission, and the building ended up meeting their needs in many unexpected ways.

              After miracle after miracle, the opera premiered on April 7–9, 2022. Because all the expenses had been covered by fundraising, the opera was made available for free. Tickets for all three nights “sold” out, with dozens of people waiting in standby lines to get in. 

              After the opera each night, the projected subtitles displayed a three-word phrase: Soli Deo Gloria. This was an expression used by composers such as Bach and Handel to signify that a work was produced for the sake of praising God: “Glory to God Alone.”

              Conclusion: God will prepare a way to do what He commands

              Lehi’s and Ishmael’s families celebrate the marriage of Lehi’s sons to Ishmael’s daughters

              During the writing, revision, orchestration, and production of He Shall Prepare a Way, CJ and Samm Madsen learned the same principle that Lehi and his family learned 2623 years ago:

              The Lord giveth no commandment unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.

              When we are willing to do what the Lord commands—even when it is hard—and we are willing to do it in His timing, then He will give us the relationships, the support, and the miracles to overcome every setback to make it happen.

              He will prepare a way!

              CJ and Samm give the glory to God at the conclusion of the opera. Samm, who stage directed the opera, gave birth to their fourth child three days after the opera concluded.

              The opera is available in the following formats:

              About the contributor

              Jeremy Madsen is a fantasy writer, freelance editor, and biblical scholar. He is also CJ Madsen’s brother and had the privilege of playing “False Prophet #3” in the 2019 concert reading of He Shall Prepare a Way. With CJ and their two other siblings, he runs the website Atrium of Light, a repository for scripture memory songs and other uplifting media. Jeremy currently lives in Columbus, Ohio, with his wife and two young kids. He is also the operations manager for LDSPMA.

                Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ Through Music

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                As part of a global church, LDS musicians worldwide can use their talents to create musical compositions which share the pure doctrine of Jesus Christ in powerful and inspiring ways. In his conference address “Pure Truth, Pure Doctrine, and Pure Revelation,” President Russell M. Nelson said, “There has never been a time in the history of the world when knowledge of our Savior is more personally vital and relevant to every human soul.” Music is a beautiful way to bring souls closer to the Savior.

                The Power of Lyrics

                Lyrics can speak truth to our hearts and help strengthen our testimony of gospel principles. In response to song lyrics, faith in a particular message can be strengthened through the Spirit. DeNae Handy, a Latter-day Saint musician, speaker, and writer, asserts that, “Music forms belief.” Accordingly, as lyricists consider how to convey doctrine and principles in their work, Handy admonishes writers to “know if what they’re writing about really is doctrine, or if it’s belief, practice, or policy.” She also reminds us to be thoughtful and attentive when writing to be aware of attendant biases.

                “The other way music informs belief,” according to Handy, “has to do with the music itself.” Musicians should consider how tempo and melody evoke emotions as they write songs that reinforce belief and strengthen faith. For example, the hymn “Praise to the Man” was initially set to the solemn, lamenting tune, “Star in the East.” This tune conveyed the Saints’ grief following the prophet Joseph Smith’s death. In contrast, when the words were later set to the tune, “Scotland the Brave,” singers experienced a feeling of “celebration,” according to Handy.

                Singers and listeners alike desire to hear themselves and their culture expressed in lyrics and music.

                Music Can Foster Inclusivity

                Music can help us learn and understand scripture stories, prophetic teachings, and even the nature of God. Doctrine and Covenants 88:118 admonishes to “teach one another words of wisdom.” We love songs with simple lyrics and fun rhymes, but Handy says these songs sometimes lack “nutrition”—she compares them to a type of “comfort food.” Musicians need not be afraid of challenging their audiences, whether young or old. Music can serve as an essential teaching tool. As President Nelson reminded us, “The Lord loves effort.” Effort fosters learning. We can promote faith through music by inspiring listeners to “seek diligently” and “seek learning, even by study and also by faith.”

                The first great commandment declares that we should love God and our neighbors. We can demonstrate this love by considering the diversity of individuals from across many cultures and backgrounds. Singers and listeners alike desire to hear themselves and their culture expressed in lyrics and music. 

                Karli Piennette was raised in Magna, Utah, a city she describes as “rooted in the songs and history of the Mormon pioneers.” Later, Piennette sang professionally with her older sisters in the country music group SHeDAISY; but at age 17, she started her musical education at Lipscomb University, a private Christian university in Nashville, Tennessee. She took six credit hours of religious courses each semester where she grew to love a cappella gospel songs.

                Piennette says she has “come to realize that [inclusivity and diversity] is an area in our church where we can grow and develop to connect more with our other brothers and sisters in Christ.” For example, when she began her musical education at Lipscomb, she recalls that the only hymn she recognized was “How Great Thou Art.” She points out that recognizable songs similar to those in mainstream Christianity “can help investigators have some familiarity and make them feel at home—like how I felt when I sang ‘How Great Thou Art’ in my university chapel.” When Piennette was later put in charge of her Young Women’s camp, she felt it was her mission to expose more members to the powerful message of love through Christian gospel songs. She visited all the wards in her Nashville stake to teach the youth different parts in the a cappella round, “The Greatest Commands.” The result, she recalls, “was beautiful!”

                Celebrate Culture through Music

                Jami Orlando, who also studied music at Lipscomb University, is a convert from the Baptist faith where she served as a worship music leader. Orlando expressed the sentiment that, “Music is the language of Heaven.” She goes on to say, “Our culture is so much a part of our social and emotional DNA, [that] if people really want to worship God in a way that is theirs and really have a personal relationship [with Him], we can’t ask them to take their culture out of it. Music is a language in and of itself. It’s not just notes on a page or sounds we hear.”

                Just as the Spirit speaks to church members in different ways, so, too, can the Spirit speak to us through various types of music. “Music’s purpose is to communicate to our souls,” Orlando says. Latter-day Saint hymns were originally broken down in chorally-oriented ways, Jami explains; whereas African-American gospel music enjoys a heavier beat, because traditional African music uses drums instead of stringed instruments—“their African ancestors literally marched to the beat of a different drum.”

                We must educate ourselves in and experience the cultures we wish to celebrate.

                Respect Diverse Musical Traditions

                How can Latter-day Saint creators thoughtfully incorporate diverse cultures and backgrounds in their compositions? First, we must show consideration and appreciation for the contributions of all types of music without misappropriating a culture’s social and historical background. Thoughtless application of cultural elements hurts those whose cultures are inaccurately portrayed in compositions and lyrics. To avoid causing hurt to our brothers and sisters in the church, we must educate ourselves in and experience the cultures we wish to celebrate. 

                We can pray for inspiration and understanding as we strive to build God’s kingdom through song. Jami Orlando implores, “Let’s research, let’s find out, let’s explore and taste other types of music.”

                Lastly, we must encourage creators worldwide to contribute their musical talents to write and compose songs that represent their native cultures. 

                Music is a powerful way to share the gospel of Jesus Christ through articulating belief and inspiring learning and faith. Moreover, music allows Church members to worship in a manner that is customized to every individual. In writing and composing gospel music, let’s thoughtfully consider the needs of all God’s children. What better way to welcome brothers and sisters into our church than by acknowledging and celebrating them? We can invite musicians from diverse faiths and cultures to bring goodness and unite them with what we have to offer.